SEVEN  MMDS 

or 


EING 
MGL1SH  MOTES 

FROM*. 

HINESE  CLASS  BOOK 


SEVEN  MAIDS 
OF  FAR  CATHAY 


O    D    «    C3 

&  5  S  2 


K    W 

H    « 


SEVEN  MAIDS  OF 
FAR  CATHAY 


BEING  ENGLISH  NOTES  FROM 
A  CHINESE  CLASS  BOOK 


COMPILED  BY 

BING  DING 


ILLUSTRATED  BY 

AI   LANG 


PAUL  ELDER  AND  COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS          •          SAN  FRANCISCO 


COPYRIGHT,  1916 

By  PAUL  ELDER  &  COMPANY 

SAN  FRANCISCO 


i  -y 


The  custom  of 

Americanism  having  been  re 
lated  unto  me — "  That  one  book  shall 
take  unto  self  one  dedication" — 
/  have  honor  to  make  speeches 
of  presentation  unto  N-B-E, 
a  Grandmother  Genius 
of  Geniuses. 


3C0652 


FOREWORD 

The  English  Notes  which  go  to 
make  up  this  Chinese  Class  book 
are  the  result  of  a  game  which  the 
President  of  the  Woman *s  Anglo- 
Chinese  College  ofNeuchang,  China, 
induced  the  seven  Chinese  girls  of 
the  graduating  class  to  play  during 
the  last  six  months  of  their  College 
course.  The  Notes  were  read  aloud 
in  class,  taken  down  by  a  steno 
grapher^  and  afterwards  arranged 
alphabetically  by  the  Biographer  as 
sisted  by  the  President  of  the  Col 
lege.  At  the  request  of  interested 
friends  the  President  has  now  per 
mitted  the  publication  of  these  Notes 
exactly  as  they  were  originally  pro 
duced,  without  revision,  that  the 
unique  atmosphere  pervading  them 
might  not  be  lost. 


v] 


CONTENTS 


FOREWORD 

BIOGRAPHER     . 

CORRESPONDENT 

DIARIST     . 

ESSAYIST 

FOLKLORIST 

GENIUS 


PAGE 
V 


3 

19 

.37 

55 

61 

75 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


FACING 
PASE 
"I  WILL  THEREFORE  Now  MAKE  PICTURE  or  OUR 

ADORABLE  COLLEGE"    (Frontispiece) 
"!T  WAS  HE  OF  THE  BRIDGE  OF  THE  TEN  THOUSAND 

AGES" 

"ALL  DAY  LONG  VERY  GOOD  WATER,  VERY  MUCH 

PLEASURE"      

"I  FIND  MANY  IDOLS  OF  USELESSNESS" 

"Gui  (DEVIL)  ALWAYS  TRAVEL  IN  STRAIGHT  LINE, 

ROAD  WIND  AROUND  so  GUI  No  CAN  CATCH 

TRAVELER" 

CLIFF  NEAR  THE  MONKEY  MOTHER'S  HOME 
"ALL  is  OF  GREAT  STILLNESS  AND  PEACE" 


BIOGRAPHER 


4M 


I  drew  the  B  I  have 
honor  to  commence  this 
Class  book.  For  once  English  A  comes  not 
at  the  head,  for  our  Artist,  (whoever  is  she?) 
can  at  the  first  do  nothing. 

It  all  began  thus:  The  first  of  last  semes 
ter  in  the  English  class  Each,  most  horribly 
read.  Miss  Sterling,  (our  Adored  Teacher), 
play  with  rings  and  shake  head  and  say, 
"Girls,  why  do  you  all  mispronounce  that 
word,  B-O-U-G-H-?  It  is  pronounced — 
Bow — like  this. "  She  arise  and  make  grand 
Kow-Tow,  "Or  like  this,"  she  shake  head 
until  little  yellow  curls  all  up  and  down  dance 
and  say,  "Bow-wow!  Bow-wow!  Bow 
wow!"  The  door  open  and  Miss  Powers, 
(our  Honored  President),  come  in.  She 
say  nothing,  but  LOOK!  Ging  Muoi  giggle. 
Miss  Sterling  grow  all  white  and  pink  like 
Chinese  lady.  Then  Miss  Powers  speak 
much  dignified: 

"We  are  here  to  teach  these  young  ladies 
the  art  of  deportment;  can  it  be       i 
that   you  were    demonstrating   a       > 
lesson  on  manners, Miss  Sterling ? "       i 

Miss  Sterling  opens  lips;  no  J| 
sound  come  out  and  her  blue  eyes  jjf 
with  tears  fill  up.  Most  times  so  jfi 
timid  I  cannot  tell  or  act  out  what  J 

I  most  long  to  do,  but  I  love 
Sterling. 


"Miss  Powers,"  I  say,  afraid  forgetting, 
"May  I  have  speech?" 

Miss  Powers  smile  with  corners  of  mouth 
only  and  say,  "Yes,  Ring  Ding,  proceed." 

"You  know  what  kind  girls  we  are,  Miss  , 
Powers,  of  such  a  stupidness  that  we  cannot  I 
of  the  English  to  learn.      We  only  are  to  I 
blame,  not  Miss  Sterling,"  I  say,  then  afraid 
remerViber  and  sit  down. 

"It  is  true  that  our  language  is  very  diffi 
cult  for  you,"  say  Miss  Powers  most  gra 
ciously.  "And  in  order  that  you  may  learn 
to  construct  and  pronounce  it  correctly,  I 
propose  that  this  last  semester  of  your  Col 
lege  course,  you  play  a  game  that  we  may 
call  'English  Notes/  Have  any  of  you  ever 
heard  of  it?"  When  we  told  her  we  had  not 
so  heard,  she  smile  with  chin  also,  and  hold 
to  view  small  package  all  of  a  whiteness. 

"These  are  sealed  envelopes,"  she  say. 
"Each  one  contains  one  of  the  first  seven 
letters  of  the  English  Alphabet:  A,  B,  C,  D, 
E,  F,  G,  a  letter  for  each  girl.  Miss  Sterling, 
will  you  be  kind  enough  to  give  them  to  the 
young  ladies?" 

It  seemed  of  a  purpose  that  to  me  came 
Miss  Sterling  last.  Afterward,  when  I  so 
state  privately  to  her,  she  smile  all  about 
and  say,  "It  is  most  fortunate  that  your 
envelope  contains  the  B,  Bing  Ding,  for  being 
a  Eurasion,  you  can  write  the  English  more 
fluently  than  the  others."  But  that  is  ofj 


Biography  unimportant,  so  I  return  to  where 
I  stop. 

Fuku  start  to  open  envelope,  Miss  Powers 
hold  out  hand  and  say,  "Wait,  Fuku,  and 
I  will  tell  you  about  the  game.  It  is  played 
thus:" 

"For  the  next  five  months,  every  Saturday 
each  girl  must  deposit  in  my  office  letter-box 
an  unsigned,  written  paper  of  not  less  than 
two  hundred  English  words,  on  a  topic  cor 
responding  to  the  word  represented  by  the 
letter  found  in  her  envelope.  For  example: 
A  stands  for  the  Artist  of  the  class.  B — 
for  the  Biographer.  C — Correspondent.  D 
— Diarist.  E — Essayist.  F — Folklorist.  G — 
Genius,  to  her  goes  my  heartfelt  sympathy." 
Miss  Powers  look  at  Miss  Sterling  and  draw 
down  corners  of  mouth  and  take  on  sadness. 
All  Chinese  girls  grow  solemnity,  but  Miss 
Sterling  laugh,  and  we  know  it  is  of  Ameri 
can  funniness,  and  are  much  relieved. 

"Bing  Ding  will  distribute  this  writing- 
paper  which  I  wish  you  to  use  in  preparing 
your  articles,"  say  Miss  Powers,  and  again 
hold  to  view  a  package,  this  time  of  much 
largeness  and  most  blue.  "Six  of  you  will 
begin  playing  the  game  this  week.  A,  can 
not  play  until  next  week;  her  name,  alone,  I 
i  must  know  that  I  may  send  her  the  papers 
to  illustrate  after  they  are  typed. " 

"On  next  Monday  afternoon  and  on  all 
the  following  Mondays,  I  shall  expect  you 


to  come  to  my  study  at  Two  of  the  clock,  to 
drink  tea  and  play  your  game.  That  is  all 
now.  Young  Ladies,  except  that  each  girl 
must  keep  the  secret  of  her  letter;  that  is 
for  her  alone.  Good  after  noon,"  and  Miss 
Powers  disappear  with  much  graceful  car 
riage,  of  which  all  Chinese  girls  admire  but 
cannot  to  imitate. 

Miss  Powers  great  lady;  of  a  tallness  and 
much  commanding,  with  snow  hair  and 
bright  eyes — at  times  of  a  hardness  like  steel 
— of  them  we  have  much  fear.  For  Miss 
Powers  we  have  admiration  greatly  but  our 
love  we  cannot  show  out  to  her;  only  can  we 
show  that  to  Miss  Sterling  who  is  of  great 
dearness,  with  heart  of  so  great  bigness  that 
for  her  we  take  the  name  of  "  Mother  Heart. " 
Each,  to  her  gather  and  wish  of  her  that  she 
may  play  the  new  foreign  game  with  us,  but 
she  make  explanation  that  of  the  letters 
there  are  but  seven,  and  soon  all  Chinese 
girl  go  to  herself  alone  and  open  her  en 
velope.  As  I  have  before  spoken,  B,  was 
in  mine.  A  Biographer  I  have  now  become. 
I  shall  at  once  at  the  Dictionary  of  the 
Centuries  arrive  and  study  to  show  forth  the 
meaning  of  my  word. 

When  we  went  forth  on  the  first  Monday 
afternoon  to  play  our  game  and  drink  the 
tea  of  our  Honored  President,  the  Chrysan 
themums  were  of  great  beauty.  For  many 


days  the  gardener  had  present  pots  of 
Chrysanthemums  of  great  choiceness,  so  that 
the  walks  of  the  Compound  and  the  steps 
leading  to  Miss  Powers'  study  were  of  a  two 
times  border;  inside  part  show  tiny  yellow 
and  white  hemispheres,  outside  part  show 
much  large  yellow  globes.  When  I  behold 
Chrysanthemums  to  me  alone  I  say,  "Can 
it  be  English  flower-book  is  of  a  Tightness? 
'That  a  heart  to  desolation  is  now  left?' 
Perhaps  the  foreign  game  we  cannot  play." 
and  I  enter  much  afraid. 

Miss  Powers  meet  us  on  balcony  and  in 
vite  us  in  and  to  take  seat;  we  have  hesita 
tion  for  Chinese  must  not  at  once  sit  down, 
but  Miss  Powers  command,  "Be  seated,  it 
is  the  American  way."  Then  she  wave  hand 
to  tray  on  table  and  say,  "Young  Ladies, 
here  are  your  notes;  I  have  had  them  put 
into  type  that  you  may  not  know  whose 
notes  you  are  reading.  Go  forward,  Cui  Ai, 
and  select  one  to  read  aloud." 

We  watch  with  carefulness  Cui  Ai  open 
paper  and  read  of  Folk-lore.  I  look  about, 
but  girls'  faces  all  most  composed  and  to  me 
I  think,  "That  paper  is  of  Cui  Ai's  own 
make,"  when  I  see  Fuku  all  of  a  shakiness 
and  am  full  of  doubt. 

i      Miss  Powers  ask  of  each  girl  to  read  in 

I  turn  until  there  is  but  one  remainder,  Fuku, 

who  seems  much  offended  that  she  comes  at 

the  last.     She  take  paper,  open,  throw  on 


IP^^^~*  ^— -_ 

floor  with  great  noise.  First  time  like  little 
squeak  of  mouse,  second  time  like  Chinese 
Tom-Tom,  and  all  time  kick  at  paper  on  floor 
with  much  strength  of  purpose.  We  at 
once  arise  and  when  the  foot  of  Fuku  is  high 
in  air.  Da  Hua  make  rescue  of  paper.  Miss 
Powers  say,  "Be  seated,  Young  Ladies," 
and  we  sit  down  with  stillness;  but  Fuku 
keep  most  noisy.  Miss  Powers  sit  at  tele 
phone  and  by  and  by  Dr.  Ewing  come  and 
try  to  introduce  Fuku  into  next-door  room 
but  she  cry,  "No,  No,  it  is  not  my  will  to 
go!  I  shall  of  the  paper  now  read."  Then 
she  again  squeak  and  Tom-Tom,  and  Dr. 
Ewing  draw  up  arm  and  put  big  slap  in 
Fuku's  nose  centre.  Fuku  at  once  come  to 
self  and  say,  "Where  am  I?"  When  she 
look  see  us — six  Chinese  girls  in  a  row  sitting 
— she  put  up  thumbs  to  cover  face  and  it 
seem  as  if  she  would  cry  to  death,  and  all 
time  she  whisper,  "Take  me  away!  Take 
me  away!  I  belong  not  to  the  land!  I  am 
of  the  boat  people!" 

We  look  at  Each,  full  of  dumbness.  A 
boat  child!  Born  of  a  people  without  a 
foundation,  whom  the  Gods  had  command 
to  live  all  the  many  moons  to  come  on  the 
water  and  never  again  upon  the  land!  Im 
possible!  But  Miss  Powers  put  finger  to 
I  lips  and  nod  head,  and  we  know  that  it  is 
of  a  truth  that  Fuku  has  spoken. 

By  and  by  Fuku  go  with  Dr.  Ewing  and 


Miss  Powers  say  one  half  to  ownself,  one 
half  to  ourself,  "Poor  little  girl,"  and  look 
about  at  Each,  most  earnestly. 

"Young  Ladies,  you  have  much  to  give] 
thankfulness  for,"  she  say.  "It  is  good  to  i 
be  well  born.  I  shall  tell  you  of  Fuku  that 
you  may  help  her  to  overcome  these  unfor 
tunate  attacks.  It  is  as  she  said,  she  is  of ' 
the  boats.  When  a  little  child  playing  on 
the  deck  of  her  boat-home,  the  rope  fastened 
about  her  waist,  parted,  and  she  fell  into  the 
water.  She  struck  her  head  as  she  went 
down,  which  I  think  partly  accounts  for  these 
attacks;  when  she  came  up,  an  American 
who  happened  to  be  passing  that  point  in  a 
sampan,  caught  her  by  her  long  hair  and 
tried  to  give  her  back  to  her  parents,  but 
they  said,  *  Return  her  to  the  water.  The 
Water  Gods  have  claimed  her;  she  is  theirs, 
not  ours.  We  will  not  take  her  back/  So 
he  brought  her  to  me.  Here  she  has  grown 
up  and  from  here,  God  willing,  she  will  go 
forth  into  the  world  a  noble  woman!" 

Then  Miss  Powers  make  a  little  prayer  of 
Fuku  and  we  drink  of  the  tea  and  eat  of  the 
cakes  of  much  sweetness.  The  clock  strike 
five  times  before  we  leave  the  home  of  our 
Honored  President. 

When  we  arrive  at  her  balcony  a  strange 
happening  come  to  view.  The  Chrysanthe 
mum  pots  were  all  departed.  In  their  place 
were  our  lilies  of  China,  nodding  tiny  heads 


in  greeting  as  we  pass  over  the  walks  to  our 
dormitory.  I  go  most  quickly  that  I  may 
arrive  at  the  English  Flower-book,  for  I 
know  not  the  meaning  of  our  lilies. 

For  five  moons  we  play  at  game  with  great 
est  pleasure  and  much  gaining  of  English. 
All  read  aloud  with  more  understanding  and 
our  Honored  President  say  we  also  write 
better.  No  Chinese  girl  know  what  other 
Chinese  girl  have  written,  so  we  talk  of 
papers  most  freely  and  with  great  funniness. 

One  afternoon  when  we  had  complete  our 
Readings  and  were  drinking  the  tea  of  our 
Honored  President,  she  say,  "Do  you  realize, 
Young  Ladies,  that  we  shall  meet  together 
but  once  more,  then  our  game  is  finished?" 

When  we  told  her  that  we  had  not  so 
realized  and  were  full  of  sorrow,  she  say,  "  I, 
too,  am  sorry  for  I  have  enjoyed  the  play." 
Then  she  look  all  about  and  of  a  suddeness 
request — "How  many  girls  wish  to  com 
memorate  our  game?"  We  look  at  Each. 
Commemorate  is  an  Americanism  uncom 
mon;  we  not  the  meaning  know,  but  Miss 
Powers'  bright  eyes  most  kind  and  at  once 
we  hold  up  hands.  She  nod  head  and  say, 
"I  thought  so!  All  of  you!  Each  week  I 
have  marked  the  papers  which  you  voted 
4  best. '  If  your  Biographer  will  select  and 
arrange  them  I  will  have  them  printed  in 
book  form  that  each  girl  may  possess  a  Class 


10] 


book."  We  have  haste  to  assure  her  that 
such  a  possession  will  be  most  pleasureable, 
and  Eng  Muoi  jump  on  feet  and  say  out 
loudly,  "Our  Honored  President  must  also 
posess  Class  book. "  Fear  comes  at  sound  of 
voice  and  at  once  she  sit  down.  Miss  Powers 
smile  most  graciously  and  say,  "Thank  you, 
Eng  Muoi,  I  would  like  one,  but  there  is 
one  condition,  it  is  necessary  that  I  shall 
know  which  girl  has  the  B — not  in  her 
bonnet,"  she  laugh,  and  we  join  with  laugh 
ter,  for  we  also  have  knowledge  of  the  bon- 
net-B. 

Next  morning  I  have  honor  to  walk  from 
Chapel  with  Miss  Powers  (our  Honored 
President)  and  tell  to  her  of  my  troubles.  By 
the  Dictionary  of  the  Centuries,  a  Biographer 
speaks  of  one  human  in  one  book.  How  then 
can  I  be  a  Biographer  of  correctness? 

"But  a  Class  book  is  different,"  Miss 
Powers  say  most  polite.  "It  is  a  chronicle 
of  College  life,  Bing  Ding."  I  am  much 
puzzled.  On  steamer  days  Cui  Ai  present 
Miss  Sterling  with  American  newspaper  and 
say,  "Here  is  Chronicle!"  Is  newspaper  in 
America  all  the  same  as  book?  Miss  Powers 
tell,  in  Class  book  must  be  something  written 
by,  and  about  Each;  also  something  about 
Residence  and  Doings.  I  will  therefore  now 
make  picture  of  our  Adorable  College.  It  is 
situate  on  hills  of  Island  grown  from  the 
shining  bosom  of  river  Ping.  At  left  hand 


the  Monastery  of  Dreams  stands  of  a  white 
ness  of  snow,  from  the  tall  mountain — 
Kushan.  At  right  hand,  if  eyes  follow  glis 
tening  trail  many  Li  (miles)  by  and  by  see 
blue  of  ocean  of  an  unexplainable  vastness. 
And  all  time — of  gold  with  shining  of  Sun — 
of  silver  with  Moonbeams  play,  sleeps  the 
great,  beautiful  river  Ping. 

The  seven  buildings  of  our  adorable  Col 
lege  are  of  a  brick  and  stand  quite  at  the  top 
of  hill.  From  their  feet  green  lawns  run 
away  down  to  hide  their  greenesses  in  shadow 
of  wall  which  about  the  Compound  en 
circles.  This  wall,  of  a  ten-foot  height,  from 
grey  stone  is  made.  At  top  of  stones,  not 
too  often,  posts  stand  of  a  color  like  lawn, 
and  upon  posts  looking  at  sky,  sits  the 
balustrade  made  of  stone  of  a  redness  to  be 
seen  afar.  When  the  wistaria  is  full  of 
bloom  many  times  have  I  wish  to  sit  upon 
balustrade  that  I  might  make  rain  of  wis 
taria  blossoms  upon  Honorable  Strangers 
making  entrance  through  door  in  wall,  but 
Sedia  (the  keeper  of  the  gate)  is  of  much 
strength  and  bigness  and  I  do  not  dare. 

Today  when  from  Chapel  we  arrive,  on 
breeze  of  morning  come  sound  of  Tom-Tom 
from  without  the  Compound  wall.  All 
Chinese  girl  run  down  to  gate.  Miss  Ster 
ling  enter  in  and  Sedia  at  once  close  gate  but 
not  too  quickly.  In  opening,  I  view  Chinese 


[12] 


all  about  box  in  street-centre  standing.     On 
box,  man;  he  make  movement  to  turn  face, 
and  to  me  alone  I  cry,  "It  is  He  of  the  Bridge 
of  the  Ten  Thousand  Ages!"     My  soul  is  in  I 
darkness  and  my  feet  have  wings.     I  fly  far 
away.     When  I  wish  no  more  to  fly  I  cannot 
cease,    but   go   onward.     At   last   I    fall    to  I 
earth  and  know  no  more. 

When  I  awake  it  is  in  a  place  of  strange 
ness — a  room  full  of  sunshine,  making  en 
trance  through  windows  of  much  number. 
The  walls  and  carpets  are  of  the  blue  of  the 
sky;  the  chairs,  dressing-table  and  couch 
upon  which  I  lie  are  all  of  a  whiteness;  the 
Mieng  about  me  is  again  blue.  I  shut  my 
eyes  in  wonderment;  all  is  of  beauty  extraordi 
nary!  A  hand  comes  to  my  miserable  fore 
head  and  Mother  Heart  (Miss  Sterling)  give 
of  sympathy  to  her  unhappy  child. 

The  memory  of  being  like  Fuku — not  well 
born — smites  my  heart  and  bids  my  tongue 
be  still.  I  speak  not.  By  and  by  Miss  Ster 
ling  whisper,  "Why  did  you  run  away  from 
the  gate,  Bing  Ding?"  I  whisper  return: 
"It  was  He  of  the  Bridge  of  the  Ten  Thou 
sand  Ages.  Of  his  power  I  have  greatest 
fear.  If  He  find,  He  will  sell  me  to  be  a 
slave,  for  to  him  do  I  owe  my  most  miserable 
existence."  Miss  Sterling's  eyes  flash  of 
fire  and  she  say,  "No!  No!  I  will  have 
care." 

Comfort  to  my  heart  creeps  in,  and  I  have 


speech  with  her  of  the  Story  Teller  of  the 
Streets.  How,  seventeen  years  past  by,  He 
was  telling  tales  from  box  as  now  happen, 
and  to  Chinese  all  about  standing,  He  say, 
"Do  good  deeds!  Be  of  unselfishness!  Have 
of  others  care!"  One  Chinese  laugh  and 
make  large  fun  of  Story  Teller  and  say, 
"Why,  O  Wise  Man,  dost  thou  not  perform 
goodnesses,  thyself?  Just  now  I  pass  over 
the  Bridge  of  the  Ten  Thousand  Ages  and 
beside  the  stones  of  bridge  I  view  babe  of 
new  birth.  Go,  thou,  and  take  of  it  all  care. " 
To  save  his  face  the  Story  Teller  went  upon 
the  bridge  and  took  the  babe  unto  his  arms 
and  house;  but  having  children  of  much 
number,  that  night  when  all  was  dark  that 
none  could  see,  he  went  again  upon  his  way 
and  with  him  went  the  babe.  I  could  no 
more  speak. 

Miss  Sterling  press  my  unworthy  hand 
and  say,  "I  know  the  rest,  Bing  Ding.  He 
took  you  to  an  orphanage  where  we  found 
you  and  brought  you  here  that  you  might  be 
educated.  Have  no  fear;  I  will  take  care 
of  you."  I  cry  out  of  joy  now,  so  happy  to 
be  of  safety  in  Miss  Sterling's  heart. 

Our  last  game  is  played.  Next  week  we 
graduate.  The  separation  as  of  one  family 
is  upon  us.  We  have  been  niost  happy  in 
our  Adorable  College  and  are  full  of  sadness 
that  Each,  alone  her  way  must  go.  Some 


Chinese  girls  to  be  married,  other  Chinese 
girls,  teachers  to  become.  I,  with  Mother 
Heart  to  America,  am  going. 

Times  of  much  number  have  I  been  to  the 
study  of  our  Honored  President  to  make  ar 
rangements  of  our  Class  book.  With  Miss 
Powers'  assistance  I  have  honor  to  select  of 
the  papers  those  that  of  our  Adorable  College 
make  pictures  of  clearness.  That  when  Each, 
goes  by  self,  one  reading  in  Class  book  will 
bring  forth  memories  and  together  we  will 
all  be  sitting,  playing  our  game  and  drinking 
the  tea  of  our  Honored  President.  When  so 
sitting,  will  please  Each,  give  thought  of 
kindliness  to  most  humble  Biographer,  is  the 
wish  of  your  most  unworthy 


BING  DING. 


Woman's  4nglo-Cbinese  College^ 
Neuebang)  Cbinat  June  fjtb. 


CORRESPONDENT 


'HERISHED  and  Honorable 

Mother ',  Moy  Sen. 
Most    respectful    salutations.       Bing     Ang. 
Bing  Ang. 

Your  lazy  and  careless  child  has  much  that 
she  wishes  to  say  to  you,  while  her  heart 
bleeds  because  she  is  separate  by  so  many 
miles  from  the  most  to  be  revered  Mother. 

Though  so  great  distance  divide  us,  yet 
my  heart  is  as  near  to  you  as  ever;  rivers  and 
mountains  will  hinder  us  from  seeing  one 
another,  but  they  can  never  give  obstruction 
to  our  mutual  love  and  help. 

By  day  and  by  night  I  pray  for  your 
safety  and  I  offer  to  heaven  much  incense, 
and  also  foods,  and  my  hope  is  that  no  harm 
may  come  near  to  your  house. 

Before  the  rise  of  the  sun  each  day  I  make 
my  worship  as  you  have  taught  me,  though 
many  of  the  girls  in  this  College  do  not  so,  and 
sometimes  I  have  very  great  fear  that  the 
Guis  (devils)  will  all  swallow  up  on  this  account. 

One  day  Miss  Sterling  come 
into  my  room  and  say,  "  It  offends 
me  much  to  see  so  many  tablets 
and  images  here;  will  you  not 
place  them  away  from  sight  at 
least?"  This  I  do  at  once  having 
greatest  fear  to  offend  and  bring 
upon  us  all  great  troubles  though 
not  yet  come. 


Miss  Sterling,  so  beautiful,  so  good,  so  full 
kind  thoughts  for  every  one,  all  girls  in  this 
College  say,  "She  too  kind,  too  good." 
Already  I  love  Miss  Sterling  so  much  my 
heart  ache  to  do  some  good  thing  for  her. 

Last  night  all  girls  in  this  College  go  take 
walk  on  far  hills  to  see  set  of  sun  in  Ocean; 
Miss  Sterling  walk  by  me  and  say,  "Please 
try  a  little  to  speak  out  your  thought  when 
possible  for  how  then  can  we  help  you  to 
better  ones?"  I  promise  to  try  but  I  always 
so  afraid,  O  I  know  I  not  worthy  to  speak  out 
my  mean  thoughts  to  great  people,  who  all 
so  wise  so  clever. 

For  a  long  time  Miss  Sterling  talk  to  me  of 
her  home  in  America  across  the  great  water, 
and  she  tell  me  many  stories  of  how  she  live 
there,  how  all  people  live,  what  kind,  beauti 
ful  country  is  America;  sometimes  I  think  I 
see  bright  tears  in  her  eyes  when  she  so  talk, 
and  then  I  feel  sharp  pain  go  into  heart,  for 
I  well  know  that  this  time  Miss  Sterling 
think  she  like  much  to  go  to  American  home. 

When  Miss  Sterling  go  to  American  home 
I  surely  cry  to  death;  many  other  girls  in 
the  College  say  same  thing. 

Each  girl  in  College  have  one  duty  for 
every  day,  mine  very  nice  kind,  must  to  look 
all  about  mails,  what  time  come,  what  time 
go,  when  Steamers  close,  carry  mail  to  rooms, 
keep  care  stamps  and  all  writing  materials. 

All  this  make  for  me  very  great  interest, 


[when  big  mail  come  in,  every  body  so  much 

I  excitement,  every  body  snatch  letters  then 

[  run  away  and  read — read  like  hungry  dog 

bite  bone.     Miss  Sterling  all  time  get  very 

big   letter,   very   large   character   on    cover, 

color  blue;  when  big  blue  letter  not  come,  O 

then  Miss  Sterling  too  sad.     One  day  I  very 

bold    and    say:    "Miss    Sterling    you    very 

I  much  love  big  blue  letter?"  she  all  smiling 

say,  "Yes  truly  I  do  love  big  blue  letter  the 

very  best  of  all." 

This  time  we  have  very  hard  work,  for 
spring  time  near,  and  much  of  work  is  to  be 
done  before  we  to  our  homes  may  go. 

One  day  Miss  Powers  say,  "Perhaps  we 
are  giving  too  much  hard  work  just  now, 
perhaps  more  better  we  go  on  river  have  play 
for  one  week."  O  then  all  College  have 
greatest  joy  and  excitement;  girls  all  time 
talk,  what  can  do,  how  can  do.  Some  times 
girls  talk  too  late  at  night,  Matron  have  much 
hard  work.  When  Matron  say,  "No  more 
of  talk  tonight,"  then  all  very  still  for  little 
while,  then  when  Matron  go  far  away,  talk 
begin  again,  and  go  on  and  on.  Matron  ; 
have  another  bad  trouble  with  girls,  every 
Chinese  girl  think  she  die  if  air  from  night  I 
get  into  her  lungs,  so  she  go  to  bed  and  pull  I 
Mieng  all  over  head  and  ears  so  no  air  can 
touch  her.  Today  too  sad  thing  happen, 
Miss  Sterling  fall  ill,  cannot  to  class  room 
come,  Dr.  Ewing  say  cannot  do  work  for  I 


many  days,  and  ask  Matron  to  send  some 
good  girl  to  help  Nurse.  Matron  appoint  me 
to  go,  I  most  happy  to  have  honor,  and  be 
cause  of  this  I  can  no  more  write  at  this  time. 

TO  MY  HONORABLE  FAMILY,  BING  ANG.    BING  ANG. 
YOUR  MOST  MISERABLE  AND  CONTEMPTIBLE  CHILD. 

Neucbang,  China. 
January  2$tb. 

'To  My  Honorable  and  Wise  Mother ',  Moy  Seny 
Greetings.     Eing  Ang.     Eing  Ang. 

Two  Moons  ago  I  have  sorrow  to  tell  you 
Miss  Sterling  very  ill.  This  time  I  have 
great  gladness  to  tell  you  she  all  well  again 
and  we  all  happiness  once  more. 

Great  joy  and  pain  have  gone  over  our 
heads  like  flocks  of  birds  since  last  time  I  have 
Honor  to  write  to  you. 

Both  day  and  night  I  watch  over  Miss 
Sterling  though  Matron  say  many  times  I 
must  to  go  into  air  or  be  ill.  Nothing  can 
my  heart  comfort  but  to  every  moment  look 
to  see  if  some  little  thing  I  may  not  do  to 
relieve  Miss  Sterling  from  so  great  pain. 
Every  day  the  burnings  of  the  fever  make 
fire  in  brain  of  our  Adorable  Miss  Sterling 
until  she  know  nothing  of  what  say  or  of 
what  do,  this  all  too  terrible,  and  make  my 
heart  to  bleed  most  so  of  all  when  she  cry  | 
out  one  name  over  and  over  again,  this  name 
sound  like  Dick,  Dick,  sometimes  Dear  Dick, 
then  most  times  she  try  to  rise  up,  but  is  too 


weak  and  so  she  sink  back  on  pillows  and  lie 
so  still,  so  still,  I  freeze  with  fear  she  be  dead, 

0  then  I  creep  out  and  cry  to  death,  and 
pray  pray   to  heaven,   and  burn  much  in 
cense,  and  then  creep  back  and  bend  close 
over  Miss  Sterling  to  hear  if  any  little  waver 
ing  breath  come  from  lips  or  not,  for  it  seem 
to  me  she  is  surely  to  die. 

One  day  very  strange  thing  happen.  Nurse 
go  out  and  say  I  am  to  watch  all  what  Miss 
Sterling  do?  if  she  call  out  or  move  to  rise 

1  must  give  to  her  of  large  bottle  one  portion. 
A  very  long  time  I  watch  every  breath,  then 
all  suddenly  Miss  Sterling  try  to  sit  up,  and 
cry  out:  "Where  am  I,  What  has  happened?  O 
yes  I  remember  I  am  in  China" — and  she 
sink  back  on  pillows,  like  one  little  baby  she 
fall  asleep,  all  so  full  of  peace  and  so  quiet 
and  still.     When   Nurse  come  back   and  I 
tell  her  of  all  this,  she  say — "O  yes  the  climax, 
now  Miss  Sterling  will  surely  live  I  think." 
That  moment  such  a  joy,  too  great  to  bear, 
come  into  my  heart,  I  could  to  shout  for 
gladness,  and  all  the  other  girls  too  glad  also. 

Now  every  day  Miss  Sterling  one  little 
bit  stronger  grow,  so  that  Miss  Powers  prom 
ise  us  she  soon  will  be  able  to  go  on  beautiful 
river  fete,  for  that  day  all  wait  with  heart  of 
gladness. 

BING  ANG.     BING  ANG. 

FROM  YOUR  DETESTABLE  AND  FOOLISH  CHILD. 
Ncucbanf,  China. 
M*rcb  sotb. 


\Most  Honorable  and  Wise  Mother •,  Moy  Sen, 
Greetings.     Bing  Ang.     Bing  Ang. 

So  wonderful  thing  happen  since  last  time 
I  write,  my  poor  language  can  nothing  show 
out  of  what  my  heart  now  hold. 

Have  patience  with  my  dull  and  stupid 
writing  while   to  you  I   give  one  complete 
f  history. 

|      On  the  fifth  day  of  this  Moon  Miss  Powers 

I  say — "Tomorrow  morning   all  girls  in   this 

I  College  have  clothing  and  beds  ready  packed, 

for    river    fete.     Ten    boats    wait    at    Short 

Bridge  landing.     Ten  of  the  clock  strike  all 

must  be  there.     Each  girl  take  one  carrying 

basket,  no  more." 

Next  day  two  hours  before  rise  of  sun  all 
girls  run  up  and  down  make  large  noise  and 
excitement. 

Matron  and  Cook  make  much  shoutings, 
Coolies  work  very  hard  to  pack  30  food 
baskets,  20  bags  rice,  20  live  chickens,  60 
carrying  baskets,  3  cot  beds  for  teachers, 
just  outside  gate  60  man  and  women  Coolies 
wait  to  carry  all  safely  to  Boat. 

This  time  every  body  talk  at  same  time, 
most  time  shout,  every  body  say  Hurry! 
Hurry!  Cook,  because  head  man,  talk  most 
loudly,  part  time  jump  on  table,  wave  long 
bamboo  stick  and  command  all  to  work 
rightly.  After  two  hours  time,  yet  no  make 
start.  What  reason  ?  Miss  Powers  come  out  j 
and  say  very  sternly, "  Cook,  why  do  you  not 


"ALL  DAY  LONG  VERY  GOOD  WATER,  VERY  MUCH  PLEASURE" 


send  baskets  to  Boats?  it  is  long  past  time." 
Cook  say  "All  ready"  and  open  gates,  let 
outside  Coolies  come  in,  then  sixty  more 
Coolies  shout  and  begin  to  fight,  because 
every  body  will  to  carry  the  light  loads, 
and  no  body  will  to  carry  the  heavy  ones! 
Again  Cook  climb  on  table  and  compel 
every  one  to  do  his  work  rightly. 

Twelve  o'clock  strike,  all  things  on  board 
boats,  every  body  happy  to  make  start. 
River  men  have  much  trouble  to  get  boats 
off  because  of  high  wind  and  waves  against 
Bridge.  At  last  all  started  safely,  every  body 
sing  songs,  play  games,  and  enjoy  to  look 
see  all  things  which  pass  on  river. 

All  day  very  good  water,  very  much  pleas 
ure,  all  night  good  sleep  by  bank  of  river 
placing  Miengs  on  floor  of  Boats.  Next  day 
very  happy  till  noon  then  come  very  high 
winds,  and  much  rough  water,  after  long  time 
men  begin  loud  shoutings,  and  take  down 
high  covers  from  overhead.  "What  matter, 
What  matter?"  every  body  cry  out,  all  fear 
some  trouble  come,  boatmen  say — "Now 
come  to  rapids,  very  swift,  very  dangerous, 
many  bad  rocks." 

I  well  remember  how  many  boats  go  to 
pieces  on  such  rocks,  so  I  hide  my  head  and 
see  nothing,  only  shake  with  fear,  only  can 
hear  screams,  and  know  some  boat  has  al~ 
ready  gone  on  the  rocks. 

Now  our  Captain  began  to  shout  to  our 


I  men  the  awful  shout — "Buy  your  coffins," 
"Buy  your  coffins"  and  I  know  well  that 
this  means  that  we  too  will  soon  be  on  the 
rocks.  Then  I  could  only  pray  to  heaven 
that  we  be  not  all  drowned. 

At  last  come  one  most  awful  crash,  some 
girls  catch  hold  of  me  and  cry,  others  make 
most  awful  screamings,  and  because  the  boat 
is  fast  filling  with  water  all  try  quickly  to 
climb  upon  the  rocks,  only  I  am  left  in  Boat 
at  last,  and  am  much  too  afraid  to  move. 
Suddenly  one  Coolie  lift  me  by  arm  and  throw 
me  over  on  rocks  with  sacks  of  rice  and  bas 
kets  of  bedding. 

Now  we  all  very  sure  it  is  to  die  that  we 
have  come  on  this  great  river,  and  so  we  wait. 

Over  us  the  sky  shine  in  glory  of  sun  set, 
nothing  of  this  do  we  see,  only  do  we  know 
of  cold  and  great  fear  and  of  wetness,  and 
pain  most  miserable. 

Where  our  other  Boats,  where  our  most 
dear  Miss  Sterling?  We  look  up  river  and 
down,  some  boats  top-side,  some  bottom- 
side,  two  boats  on  rocks,  like  our  own  poor 
broken  one.  Now  night  comes  swiftly,  all 
grows  dark  and  we  more  and  more  afraid, 
every  one  say — "Now  we  die!"  "Now  we 
die!"  I  alone  think  not  so,  but  very  sorrow 
ful  and  cry  in  my  heart,  but  not  with  my  lips. 

Whole  heart  eat  out  with  fear  that  our  most 
precious    Miss     Sterling    may    already    be , 
drowned,  no  body  can  to  tell. 


After  long  time  we  hear  men  calling  loudly, 
one  boat  comes  near  to  our  rocks  in  darkness, 
we  could  only  see  one  little  lantern  like  insect 
flash. 

"Who  comes  near  our  rocks?"  we  say,  and 
through  the  black  night  comes  Miss  Ster 
ling's  voice  to  us.  O  what  joy.  Quickly  I 
run  to  edge  of  rocks  and  hold  out  arms  to  her 
with  heart  beating  loudly  for  gladness,  all 
our  miserable  lives  will  now  be  saved  we 
know  this  of  a  truth. 

In  one  breath  Miss  Sterling  cry  out  "Are 
all  safe,  Is  no  one  hurt  here?"  and  we  say, 
"No  one  is  hurt,  only  all  so  horribly  afraid, 
so  wet,  and  cold. " 

At  once  Miss  Sterling  have  Coolies  make 
big  fire  on  rocks,  make  all  dry  and  warm, 
get  rice  ready  cooked  then  girls  eat  with  long 
hair  pins  for  chopsticks  like  playing  at  feast 
when  children. 

After  long  time  Miengs  quite  dry,  Miss 
Sterling  say  all  must  try  to  sleep,  she  so  like 
Mother  make  all  cover  up  warmly  then  no 
cover  left  for  herself,  I  see  this  and  make 
her  take  one  half  of  my  blanket  and  we  lie 
down  so  closely  I  can  hear  poor  Miss  Sterling 
heart  beat,  O  so  fast  and  loudly,  then  I  know 
she  have  much  fear,  but  too  proud,  too  brave 
to  let  girls  know  she  also  afraid;  this  all  I 
cannot  bear,  so  I  put  arms  about  Miss  Ster 
ling  and  beg  her  to  let  me  be  good  helper  to 
her,  I  say  "Chinese  girl  very  strong,  Ameri- 


very 
Miss 
while 


girl  not  so,  our  Chinese  people 
strange  and  make  you  afraid;  dear 
Sterling  not  any  one  can  harm  you 
I  live,  believe  me  true." 

Miss  Sterling  then  say  if  any  thing  happen 
to  her  I  must  to  write  letter  to  Dr.  Richard 
Newman  and  tell  to  him  all  what  happen 
here,  and  he  will  of  me  take  care  because  I 
her  good  friend.  Then  Miss  Sterling  tell 
me  all  about  this  Friend  also  all  about  when 
she  very  little  girl  she  go  live  with  old  lady 
called  Aunt  because  Father  and  Mother 
both  die;  this  Aunt  only  go  Church,  nothing 
play,  nothing  laugh,  nothing  happy  look  see, 
always  sad,  always  talk  little  girl  some  day 
go  be  Missionary.  By  and  By  little  girl 
grow  up,  then  Aunt  say,  "Now  time  come 
go  Mission  field." 

That  same  time  Miss  Sterling  very  much 
love  one  man  Dr.  Newman  he  no  like  her  go 
Mission  pigeon;  What  can  do?  That  time 
Miss  Sterling  break  heart,  but  she  say,  No, 
I  good  girl,  no  turn  back,  no  break  promise 
to  Aunt.  Dr.  Newman  angry  to  death. 
Miss  Sterling  nothing  say,  only  go  away 
without  good-by  say.  Long  time  Dr.  New 
man  keep  anger,  no  write  letter,  now  write 
much  blue  letter  and  say  all  time,  "Come 
back,  Come  back?" 

This  all  give  Miss  Sterling  too  much  sor 
row,  not  know  rest  of  heart,  not  know  what 
to  do;  I  perish  of  thought  about  all  this,  and 


[28] 


I  say  "I  will  all  well  do  for  you  that  you 
may  live  and  go  back  to  this  Doctor  man  that 
you  so  truly  love  some  day  quite  soon." 

Before  Miss  Sterling  can  reply  make,  we 
hear  sudden  loud  shoutings  from  all  parts  of 
river,  and  because  the  light  is  beginning  to 
come  we  can  a  little  see,  and  wonderful 
things  we  do  see,  hundreds  of  boats  come 
near  our  rocks.  Miss  Sterling  cry  with  joy- 
fulness,  "O  these  men  have  come  to  save 
us."  Chinese  girl  know  these  men  do  not 
save,  well  we  know  they  come  only  to  rob 
and  murder  and  take  slaves,  for  these  are 
river  pirates. 

Now  I  know  the  time  has  surely  come  when 
I  must  with  life  protect  Miss  Sterling,  so  I 
cry  to  all  people  on  rocks  to  take  bamboo 
poles  and  fight  for  lives,  not  one  pirate  must 
come  on  rocks  or  we  die.  Every  girl  know 
this  true,  and  our  boatmen  help  and  fight 
strongly;  so  fast  do  all  hit  at  men  with  poles 
that  they  much  surprised,  and  after  a  little 
while  go  away  to  talk  and  say — what  do. 
Just  that  time  Miss  Sterling  look  see  how 
water  rise  swiftly  and  she  well  know  that 
soon  our  rocks  will  be  covered  and  we  all 
drown,  so  with  face  as  white  as  paper  she 
go  to  edge  of  rocks  and  call  to  one  of  pirate 
band  and  say — "I  give  you  $20  gold  if  you 
will  all  to  land  carry."  He  only  laugh  and 
say — "$150  gold"  she  say  "$50"  he  say 
"|i2o"  she  say  "$75"  he  say  "$ioo"  shei 


say,  "All  right  $100"  and  in  one  minute 
all  men  begin  work  to  carry  us  on  shore. 

Most  girls  very  afraid  and  say  pirates  no 
keep  word,  no  can  trust  to  take  to  shore 
safely. 

Miss  Sterling  and  I  say  not  so,  Chinese 
always  keep  word  even  pirates  do  so. 

Most  strange,  most  wonderful  when  we 
land  and  turn  back  to  look  at  rocks  where  we 
spend  the  night  we  see  nothing  but  swift 
water  running  like  wild  horses  over  that  place, 
and  we  know  that  so  nearly  had  we  been 
drowned  that  nothing  could  have  us  saved 
if  Miss  Sterling  had  not  been  so  wise,  so 
clever. 

This  letter  is  of  too  great  longness  already. 

MY  RING  ANG  TO  MY  HONORABLE  BROTHERS  AND 
SISTERS 

FROM  YOUR  UTTERLY  CONTEMPTIBLE  CHILD 

Neucbang,  April  Jib. 


Most  Wise  and  Honorable  Mother  >  Moy  Sen, 
Greetings.     Bing  Ang.     Ring  Ang. 

After  four  adorable  years  in  this  most  dis 
tinguished  and  advantageous  College  I  am 
now  about  to  go  to  the  home  of  my  Mother- 
in-law  in  this  same  village. 

To  go  is  like  fire  against  my  face. 

Day  and  night  I  cease  not  to  weep  and 
nothing  can  turn  me  about  from  much 
weeping. 

Miss  Sterling  come  in  to  me  often  and  say, 


"To  marry  is  right  and  proper,  my  husband  \ 
will  be  very  wise  because  he  is  learned  man, 
I  go  to  live  with  kind,  not  cruel,  Mother-in- 
law,  I  must  not  longer  weep  and  refuse  food." 

Truly  I  try  at  all  times  to  please  Miss 
Sterling,  but  to  cease  I  cannot. 

I  with  all  of  wonder  and  nothing  of  under 
standing  see  how  with  joy  and  song  like 
bird  Miss  Sterling  go  about  the  house  pack 
ing  trunks,  boxes  all  things  make  ready  to  go 
America  side  to  marry  with  Dr.  Newman; 
truly  she  so  happy  she  send  out  light  from 
every  part,  from  top  of  head  to  sole  of  foot. 
Miss  Sterling  say  to  me  she  no  have  fear  of 
Mother-in-law  what  she  say,  how  she  do, 
how  best  to  please  Mother-in-law  so  as  to 
escape  beatings  daily  or  other  hard  punish 
ments. 

Miss  Sterling  reveal  to  me  how  Dr.  New 
man  have  one  adorable,  beautiful  home  al 
ready  builded,  already  furnished,  where  they 
two  live  without  Mother-in-law  to  live  with 
them. 

I  very  glad  and  astonished  about  these 
things,  so  like  beautiful,  golden  dream,  while 
for  my  own  marriage  I  have  only  terror,  and 
cannot  but  weep  all  the  day. 

Today  my  betrothed  came  to  College  to 

have  speech  with  me,  also  to  make  plans  for 

I  our  marriage;  Miss  Sterling  come  to  fetch 

i  me  to  see  Honorable  betrothed,  but  finding 

my  miserable   eyes   all  swollen  from  many 


tears,  contemptible  nose  all  red,  whole  face 
most  ugly,  she  begin  to  bathe  face  with 
Cologne  and  say  she  will  not  have  such 
things;  she  will  to  betrothed  freely  speak 
that  he  must  make  separate  home  for  me 
after  the  American  way.  My  heart  stand 
still  with  I  know  not  what  kind  of  fears,  but 
Miss  Sterling  never  mind,  she  drag  me  after 
her  to  Reception  room,  seat  me  before  Hon 
orable  betrothed  into  whose  face  I  dare  not 
to  look,  and  then  she  talk  many  hours  to 
show  out  how  much  better  way  American 
way  to  make  home. 

I  listen  and  tremble  like  awful  chill.  O,  if 
Honorable  betrothed  would  only  listen  and 
believe! 

At  last  he  speak  giving  good  assurance 
that  he  will  all  carry  out  as  Miss  Sterling  has 
requested.  Then  all  my  heart  rise  up  and  go 
out  to  Miss  Sterling  in  blessing;  when  Hon 
orable  betrothed  come  and  stand  before  mei 
and  make  solemn  promise.  I  in  return  beg 
Honorable  betrothed  to  pardon  the  con 
temptible  selfishness  of  selfish  me,  that  suchj 
unspeakable  gladness  come  to  me  with  thisj 
promise. 

Now  almost  I  could  love  him  that  he  this 
thing  will  do  for  poor  unworthy  me.  Can  it 
be  that  to  Chinese  girl  also  can  come  glad 
ness  to  marry,  and  can  come  that  love  sol 
wonderful,  so  strange  that  Miss  Sterling  has! 
told  me  of? 


Today  beautiful  gift  come  from  Honorable 
betrothed  one  messenger  bring  to  me  large 
blue  No.  i  Lacquer  box,  in  box  two  gold  and 
jade  bracelets,  most  fine,  most  rare;  when  I 
try  bracelets  on  arms  all  girls  come  look  see, 
all  say— "Too  excellently  fine,"  "Too  daz- 
zlingly  beautiful,"  "Too  costly,"  "All  same 
high  Official  lady,"— "All  same  Princess." 

This  give  me  much  elevation  of  heart,  but 
I  careful  not  show  out  what  feel,  only  say, 
"Gift  too  small,  too  ugly,  too  mean."  This 
time  Miss  Sterling  go  with  me  to  street  to 
buy  all  things  proper  for  wedding,  I  find  in 
it  great  pleasure,  and  all  the  girls  most  in 
terest  to  look  see. 

Another  visit  from  Honorable  betrothed, 
this  time  I  Not  afraid  so  much  and  can  a  little 
tell  out,  after  Miss  Sterling  praise  me,  and 
say  now  I  become  as  American  girl  not  too 
timid.  O  these  American  ways  very  new, 
very  strange  to  Chinese  girl  but  now  I  have 
no  more  fear  to  marry  and  sit  all  day  working 
on  beautiful  red  Marriage  shoes  and  weep 
not  any  more,  truly  this  is  magic,  and  not  any 
devil  magic  to  make  fear  come. 

Now  on  my  fingers  I  can  count  the  days 
when  you  and  my  Honorable  Sisters  and 
Brothers  will  come  to  my  Marriage.  O  then 
can  speak  out  all  things  which  now  too 
ignorant,  too  afraid  to  write. 

At   all   times   my   prayers   go   up   to   the 


heavens   for  your  good  safety   and   health, 
and  good  journey  to  this  village. 

YOUR  DETESTABLE  AND  MOST  FOOLISH  CHILD 

Neucbang,  China 
June  i8tb. 


DIARIST 


Hist  Moon — 1st  day. 
^^^EIGN  to  listen  to  me,  an 
unworthy  member  of  the 
'graduating  Uass  of  the  Woman's  Anglo- 
Chinese  College  of  Neuchang,  for  by  lot  I  am 
Keeper  of  Diary  of  the  class  of  which  I  have 
before  spoken,  and  now  make  statement: 

Firstly — That  I  know  not  how  to  so  do 
and  will  make  secret  consultation  among  our 
most  Learned  Teachers  that  they  may  give 
unto  me  of  their  wisdom. 

Lastly — That  if  the  tongues  of  our  Great 
est  Ones  yield  me  not  the  so  great  secret, 
then  will  I  ask  of  Dr.  Ewing  that  I  may  look 
upon  the  book  in  which  she  writeth  nightly, 
after  the  stars  gleam  forth. 

$th  day — Last  night  I  made  three  journey- 
ings — upon  our  Honored  President  (Miss 
Powers),  our  Adorable  Teacher  (Miss  Ster 
ling)  and  our  Beloved  Doctor  (Miss  Ewing). 
After  diverse  conversation,  that  they  know 
not  whereof  my  visit  is  made,  I  ask  of  each 
Honorable  Person  the  so  great 
question — "Of  what  does  a  diary 
consist?" 

Our  Honored  President  make 
explanation,  "It  is  a  register  of 
daily  happenings  or  duties  and  is 
most  useful  for  reference.  I  have 
kept  one  for  years."  The  word 
duties  she  spake  with  stress  of 

Mi 
[37] 


voice.  Shall  I  then  transcribe  the  College 
hours  of  hair-brushing  or  tooth-washing? 

When  to  Miss  Sterling  I  make  question, 
her  face  become  as  the  rosy  dawn.  "A 
diary  is  a  book  of  so  great  intimacy  that  the 
writing  there  in  is  to  be  looked  upon  only  by 
the  eyes  of  him  who  writes — or — perhaps — 
one  other,"  she  make  answer  with  slowness. 

At  the  once  knowledge  of  her  so  great 
secret  grow  within  me  and  I  think,  "She 
also  keepeth  a  diary  and  hath  what  they 
name  in  America — a  Lover." 

To  Dr.  Ewing  I  arrive  at  the  last.  She  was 
seated  within  the  Hospital  office  writing  in 
a  small,  black  volume.  Upon  the  outside 
of  volume  was  writ  in  large,  golden  letters, 
D-I-A-R-Y  and  beneath,  in  smaller  forms, 
Alice  Ewing.  All  these  things  mine  eyes 
beheld  before  I  ask  of  her  my  question. 

"A  Diary — why?"  she  make  laughter  as 
pleasant  as  the  ripple  of  a  tinkling  brook. 
"What  do  you  know  about  Diaries,  Moon- 
flower?"  Then  came  the  Matron  in  so 
great  haste  to  beg  of  Dr.  Ewing  that  she 
come  at  once  unto  the  bedside  of  Fuku. 
"She  hath  an  attack,"  saith  the  Matron 
and  was  departed. 

"Remain  here,  Moonflower,  and  make 
speech  with  whoever  come  in,"  Dr.  Ewing 
ask  of  me;  and  I  with  so  great  gladness  sit 
down  before  the  table  upon  which  lieth  the 
Book  of  the  Golden  Letters.  For  having 


asked  my  question  of  all  the  Honorable  Ones 
and  no  Honorable  One  having  answered  in 
full  I  make  resolution  to  look  within  the 
Book  that  the  so  great  secret  of  success  I 
may  at  the  once  learn. 

Many  persons  make  entrance  and  de 
parture  into  office.  It  seemeth  best  to  make 
study  of  Book  when  none  are  present  to 
divert  my  thinkings.  When  FooFoo  (the 
Chow  dog)  and  I  are  alone  I  make  haste  to 
open  Book.  Within,  the  volume  was  writ 
in  parts.  One  part  days  of  week;  other  part, 
hours  of  day.  Also  the  writings  of  Dr. 
Ewing  were  of  so  great  smallness,  to  translate 
produced  much  troubles.  Thereupon  I  make 
selection  of  one  day  alone,  that  I  may  best 
interpret  the  meanings  of  its  hours.  This  is 
them: 

From  the  Diary  of  Dr.  Ewing: 


Tuesday— 

8  a.m. 

9  a.m 


Withdrew  mole-tooth  from  the  mouth  of  Eng  Muoi. 
No.  I  Cook's  wife's  sister-in-law  make  birth  of  big 
boy — weight,  12  knocks  or  pounds. 
ii  a.m.   Transcribe  letter  of  No  to  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Secretary. 
12.30       Dr.  Wardoff  came  to  Tiffin.     He  hath  given  me 
six  months  to  make  answer  to  his  clothes  or  suit. 
2  p.m.   Unbound  feet  of  Luey  See.     Delicious  operation. 

Time  two  hours. 
5  p.m.  Took  from  left  ear  of  FooFoo  bamboo  tree. 

Upon  mine  ear  fall  the  sound  of  approach 
ing  feet-steps.  Thereupon  I  at  the  once 
close  Book  and  go  to  look  within  the  ear  of 
FooFoo  who  is  full  of  gladsome  barkings  at 
Dr.  Ewing  making  entrance.  To  her,  I 


present  good-night  partings  and  without] 
delay  make  arrival  at  Dormitory  where 
warmly  wrapt  in  my  Mieng  of  comfort  I  lie 
in  readiness  for  sleep,  but  she  come  not. 
Upon  her  little  bed  in  further  corner  my 
room-mate,  Ging  Muoi,  make  slumberings 
of  so  great  audibleness  I  find  not  rest. 

Again  and  again  I  make  repetition  of  Dr. 
Ewing's  Diary  unto  myself.  Again  and 
again  Ging  Muoi  make  whistlings  through 
noses  with  much  warmth  of  expression  not 
unto  herself.  By  and  by  I  arise  and  remove 
from  closet,  bamboo  stick  unto  the  bedside 
of  Ging  Muoi;  she  awake  with  much  sud- 
deness  and  make  end  to  whistles.  At  the 
once  I  return  within  my  Mieng  and  come  to 
so  great  decision — that  on  the  morrows  will 
I  nothing  of  duties  write — but  all,  of  hap 
penings.  Sleep  comes  to  mine  eyelids  and 
I  dream. 

2d  Moon — loth  day — Upon  yesterday  fell 
the  birthday  of  our  Beloved  Doctor  Ewing. 
Miss  Powers  invite  all  to  eat  Tiffin  at  Faculty 
house.  At  the  hour  of  noon  we  move  up 
ward  upon  Faculty  steps,  when  our  eyes 
behold  legs  and  feet,  only,  of  man  making 
entrance  upon  Dr.  Ewing's  balcony.  His 
upper  parts  were  enclosed  within  a  bouquet 
of  much  magnitude  and  his  shoes  were  of  the  ! 
color  of  clay  so  that  he  present  appearance  like  j 
unto  a  single  flower-pot  of  our  gardens  of  the- 
Compound.  We  call  to  mind  the  extensive-1 


ness  of  the  feet  and  the  inconsiderableness 
of  the  body  of  the  most  Honorable  Secretary 
of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  and  at  the  once  make 
recognition  of  him. 

Miss  Powers  (our  Honored  President) 
come  out  and  say,  "Come  in  and  have  seat." 
Thereupon  we  sit.  Dr.  Ewing  make  en- ' 
trance  from  balcony  with  much  redness  of 
face  and  we  donate  birthday  greetings  unto 
her.  A  bell  ring  and  Miss  Powers  say,  "Let 
us  go  into  the  dining-room." 

When  all  seated  Dr.  Ewing,  invited,  makes 
little  prayer  and  the  foreign  feast  begin,  of  a 
formality  not  like  anything  we  know.  We 
unfold  napkins  and  spread  them  upon  our 
laps  to  preserve  clothes  clean,  and  eat  soup 
from  the  side  of  spoons  which  we  push  away 
from  us,  watching  our  Honorable  Teachers 
with  so  great  care  because  we  know  not 
what  is  the  polite  or  what  is  the  impolite. 
At  close  of  feast  Boy  bring  cups  of  smallness 
filled  with  coffee.  Miss  Sterling  (our  Ador 
able  Teacher)  put  hand  over  cup,  we  do  like 
wise,  and  say: 

"Before  we   drink   of  the   coffee,   Young 
Ladies,  I  will  tell  you  of  an  American  birth 
day  custom.     It  is  called  a  Toast,  and  each 
I  one  drinks  to  it  standing.     I  will  now  make 
one    to    the    health    and    longevity    of   Dr. 
I  Ewing." 

r     All  persons  get  to  feet  and  Miss  Sterling 
hold  up  cup  and  shake  yellow  curls  and  say 


to  Dr.  Ewing  with  so  great  solemnity,  "May 
your  path  be  strewn  with  roses  and  your 
husband  meek  as  Moses."  We  all  put  cups 
to  lips  when  man's  voice  come  loudly  from 
doorway:  "Impossible!  The  roses  are  all 
right,  but  Moses  would  not  stand  a  ghost  of 
a  chance  with  Dr.  Ewing."  We  turn  as  one 
people  and  behold  the  Community  Doctor 
(Dr.  Wardoff)  standing  in  the  doorway,  his 
arms  also  full  of  flowers.  Our  Honored 
President  grow  much  dignified  then  she  re 
gard  Dr.  Ewing  all  of  an  adorable  pinkiness, 
and  she  sink  within  chair  and  make  much 
silent  laughter. 

Dr.  Ewing  take  from  Dr.  Wardoff  the 
flowers  he  hath  brought  unto  her  and  cover 
her  pinkiness  of  face  in  their  blossoms  of 
fragrance. 

No.  i  Boy  make  entrance  with  yet  another 
bouquet  of  flowers  of  so  great  magnificence 
and  say  with  much  strength  of  voice,  as  he 
present  flowers  unto  the  arms  of  Dr.  Ewing: 
"From  the  Son  of  the  Consul."  Dr.  Ewing 
drop  all  flowers  upon  floor.  Dr.  Wardoff 
scowl,  look  see  watch  and  say,  "I  must  be 
off!"  making  departure  of  quickness.  We 
Chinese  girls  pick  up  flowers  and  place  them 
within  the  arms  of  Dr.  Ewing. 

3d  Moon — i$th  day — This  morning  the 
Chinese  boys  from  St.  Marks  arrive  to  Confir 
mation  at  Chapel.  Upon  left  of  aisle-centre 
they  were  seated,  all  Chines  girls,  on  right.  | 


Eng  Muoi  receive  Confirmation  and  seem 
of  so  great  humbleness,  Cui  Ai,  sitting  at  side 
whisper  to  me,  "  Can  the  change  of  heart  of 
Eng  Muoi  be  of  everlastingness?"  I  answer 
not,  being  much  occupied  with  view  of  Hon 
orable  Head  Master  of  St.  Marks;  a  man  of 
much  magnificence  of  person. 

For  the  past  Moon  Eng  Muoi  hath  made 
offers  of  lendings,  bestowing  upon  other 
Chinese  girls  gifts  of  hairpins  and  bracelets 
and  hath  been  of  so  great  meekness,  unlike 
her  disposition  of  naturalness,  that  all 
Chinese  girls  say,  "  Unto  Eng  Muoi  hath  come 
the  Goddess  of  Mercy."  Now  all  know  it 
is  the  God  of  the  foreigner  that  hath  made 
the  difference. 

Cui  Ai  displayed  unto  me  her  Beloved 
Betrothed.  A  small  man  he  seemed,  seated 
upon  the  bench  before  the  Honorable  Head 
Master  of  Magnificence. 

We  descend  upon  Chapel-steps  one  side; 
other  side,  descend  Cui  Ai's  Beloved  Be 
trothed  and  Honorable  Head  Master. 

Miss  Sterling  say,  "Cui  Ai,  do  you  wish  to 
hold  speech  with  your  Betrothed?"  Cui  Ai 
and  Beloved  Betrothed  stand  all  together 
before  Miss  Sterling.  Dr.  Ewing  put  hand 
upon  arm  of  me,  stop,  say  one — two  words 
unto  Honorable  Head  Master.  Head  Master 
I  speak  back  to  her  but  Look  at  me.  At  the 
once  my  heart  knocketh  with  so  loud  beating 
I  have  greatest  fear  that  unto  the  ears  of  the 


[Honorable  Head  Master  will  the  sound  there- 
lof  arrive. 

ftb  Moon — loth  day — Today  Dr.  Ewing 
send  for  me.  When  I  make  entrance  into 
Hospital-office  Foo  Foo  bark  welcomes  and 
Dr.  Ewing  say,  "Sit  down,  Moonflower,  I 
have  something  to  tell  you."  First  she 
make  speech  of  weather,  next  she  make 
speech  of  health,  last  she  make  speech  of 
Honorable  Head  Master  of  St.  Marks,  Quong 
Lee.  It  seemeth  the  Honorable  Head  Mas 
ter  of  Magnificence  having  looked  upon  use- 
lless  me  findeth  my  uselessness  good  unto  his 
I  sight,  and  hath  presented  Miss  Powers, 
i  through  Dr.  Ewing,  an  offer  of  marriage  with 
I  useless  me. 

"In  America  a  suitor  endeavors  to  learn 
if  he  is  acceptable  to  the  girl  whom  he  wishes 
to  marry  before  he  asks  her  parents  for  her," 
Dr.  Ewing  make  explanation.  "Quong  Lee 
is  a  Christian  and  knows  of  this  custom  so 
he  came  first  to  me.  He  is  a  fine  man  and 
would  make  you  a  good  husband,  Moon- 
flower — what  say  you?" 

Dr.  Ewing  sit  on  sofa  beside  me  and  smooth 
hair  of  useless  brow,  and  look  see  deep  down 
into  my  heart  of  uselessness  and  find  there 
what  I  dare  not  to  confess. 

Already,  when  yet  a  child,  I  was  betrothed 
to  the  son  of  the  Exalted  Friend  of  my 
August  Father.  Him  I  have  never  seen. 

All   these  things  I   tell  unto  Dr.   Ewing, 


and  she  make  arrangements  that  on  the 
morrow  I  go  unto  the  House  of  my  Mother- 
in-law  there  to  abide  for  such  a  time  as  it 
seemeth  best,  until  I  behold  in  secret  the 
face  of  my  Betrothed  —  for  —  "You  shall  not 
marry  a  man  you  have  never  seen;  it  is  not 
right/'  say  Dr.  Ewing. 


Moon  —  i6tb  day  —  For  five  days  have  I 
dwelt  within  the  House  of  my  Gifted  and 
Capable  Mother-in-law  who  hath  for  useless 
me  all  kindnesses  and  considerations.  My 
heart  of  guilt  lieth  heavy  within  my  breast. 
Today,  in  cleaning  of  House,  I  give  of  help 
unto  Capable  Mother-in-law  and  in  closet 
obtain  many  Idols  of  uselessness.  Long 
time  I  think  so  to  say  unto  Capable  Mother- 
in-law  but  have  much  fear.  When  she  say 
funto  me,  "Hath  the  task  of  the  closet  come 
|  to  accomplishment?"  I  say,  "No,  not  so/' 
and  tell  to  her  of  foreign  cleanliness.  "Be 
hold!"  I  say,  and  bring  to  view  most  filthy 
and  awful  Idol,  "These  are  dirty  old  Idols! 
Let  us  cast  them  forth  and  clean  the  closet 
rightly,"  I  speak  on,  fear  forgetting. 

Capable  Mother-in-law  nod  head.  I  open 
jwindow  and  fear  returning,  throw  Idols  into 
garden  with  great  shakiness. 

At  noise  of  so  loud  violence  Boy  make  ap 
pearance  in  garden  walking  with  four  legs. 
,One  pair,  own  legs;  other  pair,  wooden  legs. 
Upon  his  shoulders,  also  of  a  difference,  sat 
a  head  of  much  bigness.  He  upward  look 


see.  I  downward  look  see.  Horror  come 
upon  my  heart!  Capable  Mother-in-law  at 
the  once  close  window  but  I  have  knowledge 
that  my  Betrothed  I  have  now  beheld.  With 
him  I  can  never,  never  to  marry.  Tonight 
will  I  send  chit  (letter)  to  Dr.  Ewing  that 
she  may  help  me  to  make  departure  of  quick 
ness  from  the  House  of  most  Gifted  and 
Capable  Mother-in-law. 


Moon  —  ist  day  —  Last  week  I  make  re 
turn  unto  College.  All  Honorable  Teachers 
and  Chinese  girls  give  greetings  of  gladness. 
This  place  so  dear  home  I  make  wish  all  time 
here  to  dwell,  then  before  mind  come  the 
Magnificent  person  of  the  Honorable  Head 
Master  of  St.  Marks  and  I  think  to  change 
wish. 

I  tell  unto  Dr.  Ewing  of  the  Deformities  of 
my  Imperfect  Betrothed  and  it  seem  as  if 
I  cry  to  death.  If  I  do  not  will  to  marry 
with  my  Imperfect  Betrothed,  Peace  of 
Fervid  Mind  and  Ardent  Heart  will  dwell 
no  more  within  me.  On  the  contrary,  Life 
long  Disgrace  will  sit  by  side  forevermore. 
Nevertheless  I  cannot  to  possess  him  for 
husband. 

This  morning  Dr.  Ewing  go  unto  my  Aug 
ust  Father  to  tell  to  him  the  useless  troubles 
of  his  most  useless  daughter. 

Firstly  —  August  Father  was  of  so  great 
anger,  his  ears  listened  not  unto  Beloved 
Doctor  making  to  speak,  but  he  tell  with 


*    £ 


• 


lengthiness  and  loudness  of  voice  of  meddle 
some  persons'  intrusiveness. 

By  and  by  August  Father  make  pause  to 
catch  up  breath,  and  Dr.  Ewing  quick  to 
speak  Deformities  of  Imperfect  Betrothed, 
then  August  Father  rest  tongue  and  lend 
ears. 

Lastly  —  August  Father  is  again  with  so 
great  anger  that  his  Official  Friend  (my  Ex 
alted  Father-in-law)  hath  not  related  unto 
him  the  story  of  his  son's  misshapen  members, 
August  Father  give  of  promise  unto  Dr. 
Ewing  that  if  she  can  to  make  arrangements 
of  honorableness  with  Exalted  Father-in-law, 
he  will  not  marry  poor,  useless  me  unto 
Betrothed  of  Deformities. 

At  Tiffin  arrive  Community  Doctor.   With  I 
him  Dr.  Ewing  hold  much  speech  on  Hos 
pital-balcony. 

From  balcony  went  Dr.  Wardoff  to  House 
of  Capable  Mother-in-law  there  to  make 
visitation  upon  Imperfect  Betrothed. 

Tonight  Head  Boy  of  Community  Doctor 
bring   chit.     I   watch   with   carefulness   Dr. 
Ewing  making  reading.     She  look   see  my  I 
interest  of  face  and  say,  "It  will  all  cornel 
right,  Moonflower.     Tomorrow  afternoon  we  I 
hold    council.     Run    along    to    bed,    now." 
I  give  unto  her  good  night  partings  and  re-  1 
tire  within  my  Mieng  but  sleep  not. 


Moon  —  2d  day  —  When    sun    glow    in 
window  I  arise  and  make  entrance  into  gar- 


den.  It  is  my  week  to  make  daily  providings 
of  flowers  and  I  prepare  many  bouquets,  one 
of  greatest  importance. 

That  I  may  know  of  Consultation  Meet 
ing,  I  ask  of  No.  i  Boy  where  shall  repose 
my  most  important  bouquet.  No.  i  Boy 
say,  "At  Two  of  the  clock,  in  Teakwood  re 
ception  room  our  Honored  President  hold 
visitation  of  moment.  Establish  there  the 
bouquet  of  so  great  importance."  I  so  do. 
Thereupon  look  see  all  about.  No  person 
present.  Quick  I  make  withdrawal  of  screen 
to  balcony  window  and  go  away. 

At  Two  of  the  clock  I  stand  behind  screen 
and  give  heed  to  August  Father  and  Exalted 
Father-in-law  making  greetings  unto  Hon 
orable  President.  Dr.  Wardoff  also  make 
entrance.  No.  i  Boy  produce  tea  and  much 
speech  of  so  great  politeness  take  place. 

"I  am  the  bearer  of  ill  tidings,"  say  Dr. 
Wardoff  unto  Miss  Powers. 

"I  am  sorry,"  say  Miss  Powers.  "Speak 
on." 

Dr.  Wardoff  tell  to  her  he  has  been  to 
consult  about  son  of  his  friend  Wong  Ging 
(Exalted  Father-in-law  make  most  honor 
able  bow)  and  that  son's  heart  is  of  so  great 
enlargement  that  at  any  hour  may  come 
death  to  friend's  son.  (August  Father  shake! 
head  in  sorrow  deep),  Miss  Powers  much 
sad,  much  shocked,  much  surprised. 

Dr.  Wardoff  say  on:     "Therefore  Wong 


Ging  wishes  me  to  state  that  it  is  with  great] 
sorrow  he  requests  that  the  betrothal  of  his  I 
son  to  the  beautiful  daughter  of  his  friend  I 
(Ling  Ang)  be  now  terminated. " 

Mental  pain  and  much  lamentation  at  the 
once  come  unto  August  Father;  of  so  great 
sympathies  for  his  Exalted  Friend  that 
tongue  cannot  to  tell. 

My  Exalted  Father-in-law  partake  of  pain  j 
and  sympathies  freely;  with  him,  also,  tongue  ! 
cannot  to  speak  sorrow. 

Destiny  in  face  of  August  Father  and 
Exalted  Father-in-law  dwells.  I  behold  face 
of  two  from  behind  screen  and  catch  at  breath. 

My  Exalted  Father-in-law  make  begin 
nings.  "  All  things  are  possible  to  the  Mighty! 
The  Powerful  are  ever  Generous!  What 
sayeth  my  Mighty  Friend?  Will  the  loss  of 
my  most  unhappy  son  make  strainings  of  his 
Mercy?" 

"It  is  well,"  my  August  Father  make 
answer.  "Wong  Ging,  thou  art  a  worthy 
father  of  a  most  worthy  son.  To  be  Master 
of  Accidents  as  well  as  of  Arts  is  for  one 
Noble  Person  of  great  enrichment  and  gain 
ing!" 

All  Honorable  persons  arise  and  with  cup 
of  tea  in  hand  take  sip. 

On  wings  of  thunder  come  sounds  of 
bombs  outside  in  City.  I  make  movement. 
Window  at  back  fall  down;  screen  in  front 
fold  over.  No  person  look  see.  All  have 


much  callings  from  garden.  Dr.  Wardoff 
alone  to  me  say,  "  Bombs  mean  much  trouble,  i 
Go  quickly  and  bid  Dr.  Ewing  to  come  at 
once  to  Community  Hospital." 

In  garden  I  make  pause  beside  Boy  bring 
ing  chit.  "Bad  man  think  to  kill  Governor! 
of  Province,"  say  Boy.  "Twenty  men  dead, 
many  maim  on  Bridge  of  the  Ten  Thousand! 
Ages." 

$th  Moon — 3d  day — All  of  night  we  stay 
outside  Compound  at  Community  Hospital. 
Dr.  Ewing  grow  so  great  tire  I  try  to  make 
lie  down.     She  say,  "No,  No,"  and  tell  of 
one  more  leg  to  cut.     Dr.  Wardoff  make  ar 
rival  with  cutter.     Dr.  Ewing  help;  I  hold 
to    sponge.     Leg    go    off.     Beloved    Doctor 
face  grow  all  of  a  whiteness;  body  sway,  I 
try  to  catch  but  Dr.  Wardoff  give  to  me  a 
push   and   take   unto   himself  the   body   of 
unknowingness  of  Dr.  Ewing.     "She  belong! 
to  me,"  he  say.     "Bring  water."     I  bring! 
of  water  and  all  time  he  say,  "Darling- 
Dearest — Love!" 

6th  Moon — 1 2th  day — It  is  night  and  the! 
daylight  sleepeth  while  the  Moonbeams  play.  I 
Fireflies  make  journeyings  of  pleasuringsj 
with  their  so  small  lanterns.  Only  the  won- 1 
derful  river  Ping  toils  on  in  its  silver  bed.  I 
Under  my  window  roses  of  fragrance  beckon  I 
with  heads  of  wisdom.  Perhaps  I  may  winl 
the  favor  of  the  Gods !  The  garden  is  full  ofl 


the  whisperings  of  Chance!     Youth  is  head-l 
long.     I  will  descend. 

Later — When  I  depart  into  garden  I  cornel 
upon  Dr.  Ewing.     By  side  walk  Y.  M.  C.«A. 
Secretary.     He  of  inconsiderableness  of  body! 
and  extensiveness  of  feet. 

Dr.  Ewing  make  silent  beckonings  to  stand] 
by  side.     I  so  do.     Honorable  Secretary  of 
Y.   M.   C.  A.   most  cross.     "Send   the  girl 
away,"  he  say,  "I  have  not  finished." 

"But  I  have,"  Dr.  Ewing  say,  with  so 
great  loftiness  of  head.  "-My  answer  will 
always  be  'No!" 

Then  appear  the  son  of  the  Consul  and 
depart  the  Honorable  Secretary  of  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.     I  make  movement  to  proceed.     Dr. I 
Ewing  link  arm  in   mine  and  put  stop  to] 
movement.     Son    of   the    Consul    look    see, 
with   little   sob   make   laugh   and   say,   "So 
Moonflower    remains.     It's    all    the    same! 
You  can't  put  me  off!     I  will  say  it!     I  love  I 
you!" 

All  time  of  speech  Dr.  Ewing  try  to  make] 
son   of  the   Consul   to   stop.     "Very,   very 
sorry,"  she  say,  but  of  no  use. 

With  so  great  sadness  the  son  of  the  Consul 
take  leavings   and  we   make  entrance  into] 
Hospital. 

At  our  approach  Community  Doctor  arise  I 
from  shadow  on  balcony  and  stand  forth  in  I 
sheet  of  silver  moonlight. 

Dr.  Ewing  make  pause  and  face  seem  all  I 


of  a  whiteness  in  moonshine.  Community 
Doctor  say,  "Is  it  yes?"  and  open  wide  his 
arms  of  bigness  that  Dr.  Ewing  may  creep 
therein.  No  more  she  beckon,  "stay  here," 
no  more  link  arm;  and  I  make  entrance  into 
office  with  heart  of  so  great  heaviness. 
Strange  sounds  of  Kissings  (an  American 
custom)  follow  after;  I  put  up  thumbs  unto 
ears  and  it  seem  as  if  I  would  cry  to  death; 
no  longer  Beloved  Doctor  hath  need  of  poor, 
useless  me. 

Next  day — Dr.  Ewing  tell  to  me  this 
morning  that  all  of  arrangements  are  now 
perfection.  To  my  Betrothed  of  Deformi 
ties  (that  once  was)  hath  mine  August 
Father  given  his  Tea-House  in  Shanghai. 

Tomorrow,  to  Teakwood  reception  room, 
at  Four  of  the  clock,  cometh  Quong  Lee,  the 
Honorable  Head  Master  of  Magnificence. 
To  him  in  my  so  fine  silken  robes  will  I  make 
appearance.  The  sun  of  my  fortune  is  newly 
arisen!  The  event  of  my  life  approaches! 
It  is  well! 


ESSAYIST 


-ERY  day  since  learning  that 
upon  me  the  so  great  honor 
Tall  to  become  Essayist,  I  have  secretly  and 
with  great  carefulness  searched  within  the 
libraries  of  each  of  our  Honored  Instructors 
to  find  out  what  Essay  is,  and  to  gain  in 
formation  about  this  thing. 

At  last,  O,  so  great  happiness,  I  find  in 
Miss  Powers'  library  one  great  and  impor 
tant  book  called,  "Essay  on  Man,"  by  Hon 
orable  Pope;  also  one  small,  unimportant 
book  called,  "Studies  in  Prose  Essays." 
Now  surely  all  these  things  I  can  to  know 
about  Essay. 

All  day,  all  evening,  and  again  next  day, 
I  read  most  secretly,  hiding  book  quickly  if 
any  one  come  near,  for  no  one  must  know  of 
these  readings  in  Honorable  Pope. 

"Surely,"  I  say,  "By  and  by  I  will  find 
part  easy  to  understand."  Another  day  I 
read  and  hide  away  books,  yet  no  more  can 
to  understand  what  Honorable  Pope  make 
meaning.  This  time  head  ache, 
eyes  ache,  heart  ache.  Truly  all 
too  sad,  too  sorrowful. 

Next  day  have  no  heart  to  read 
more,  but  try  one  little  while. 
Then,  O  too  great  joy,  one  part 
not  before  found  reveal  new  mean 
ing  to  me!  Here  all  parts  sepa 
rate  with  large,  plain  numbers — 


55 


1-2-3 — like  questions  in  great  Examina 
tion.  "Possibly,"  I  say,  "one  Essay  I  can 
do  like  book  of  wisdom."  The  great  and 
wise  book  say: 

"Three  roads  are  open  for  further  expan 
sion  of  the  stimulation  of  the  brain;  for  the 
sensory  nerve  finds  three — 

1st — Other  Sensory  nerves.  2d — Sympa 
thetic  nerves.  jd — Motor  nerves.  The 
transference  of  its  excitation  to  other  sensory 
nerves,  consequently  the  production  of  an 
accompanying  sensation  in  the  other  than 
actually  stimulated  parts,  must  be  confined 
within  a  narrow  range." 

Wonderful!  I  think  at  once  to  begin;  can 
surely  write  Essay  of  i,  2,  3  parts,  and  then 
some  one  very  learned  will  answer  questions 
and  I  will  all  things  know  which  for  three, 
four  years  make  deep  trouble  in  my  heart. 

O  too  great  happiness,  I  will  my  Essay  at 
once  begin. 

Question  I — Honorable  Pope  make  much 
speech  of  brain,  what  meaning  I  know  not; 
Chinese  people  oldest  wisest  people  in  whole 
world,  Chinese  people  know  all  learning  is 
put  away  in  stomach.  When  men  know 
many  things  all  people  say,  "He  have  many 
characters  in  his  stomach." 

Foreign  people  say  not  so,  they  say  all 
learning  put  in  brain,  top-side  head.  For 
eigner  very  afraid  to  let  sun  shine  on  head, 
afraid  melt  brain — perhaps  mix  characters. 


Dr.  Ewing  say,  "Chinese  must  of  Solar- 
Plexus  take  good  care. "     I  not  know  what  j 
meaning  "Solar-Plexus;"  yet  I  know  Chinese 
people  of  so  great  age  so  great  wisdom,  surely  | 
all  will  of  "Solar-Plexus"  take  great  care. 

Question  II — One  year  ago  today  Miss 
Sterling  call  me  to  room  to  transcribe  for  her 
a  letter  to  a  dear  friend  in  Peking,  this  friend 
very  fond  Chinese  letter. 

I  make  beginning  so — 

Honorable  and  most  learned  Mme. 
Bing  Ang.     Bing  Ang. 

"Your  detestable  and  most  contemptable 
friend  wishes  to  know  if  you  have  eaten  full, 
and  if  all  of  your  household  have  eaten  full, 
and  are  at  peace. 

"Your  August  consideration  honorably 
vouchsafe  as  I  have  the  honor  to  rejoice  at 
your  august  robustness. 

Then  Miss  Sterling  stop  me  and  say — 

"Read  me  what  is  now  written."  I  read; 
immediately  Miss  Sterling  begin  action  like 
one  crazy — 

"Robustness! — Robustness!"  she  cry  out. 
"  Do  you  not  know  that — Robustness — means 
fat — a  most  awful  insult  to  offer  an  American 
lady?" 

Now  what  I  wish  most  to  know  is,  why  is 
it  that  the  most  proper  and  polite  Chinese 
is  the  most  rude  and  impolite  thing  to  write 
to  an  American  lady? 


Question  III — One  day  every  body  run  out 
of  House  because  of  loud  angry  quarrel  in 
garden  between  Sedia  and  his  wife  Eksaw. 

Dr.  Ewing  come  quickly  and  say,  "So  loud 
talking  must  at  once  stop.'*  Sedia  say 
"Very  sorry,  Dr.  Ewing,  but  what  can  do? 
If  Eksaw  want  to  be  a  man,  and  be  boss, 
why  she  no  put  on  skirts  and  be  a  man?" 

Then  Dr.  Ewing  laugh  and  say:  "O  you 
up-side-down  people." 

Why  all  people  say  Chinese  make  all  things 
to  stand  on  honorable  heads,  make  honorable 
insides  outsides,  make  honorable  top  sides 
down  sides?  Truly  these  things  I  cannot  to 
understand. 

Question  IV — Every  body  know  Chinese 
people  greatest  inventors  in  whole  world, 
invent  gun-powder,  printing  press,  compass. 
Why  Chinese  way  not  best  and  wisest?  Why, 
in  this  College,  every  body  say  must  read 
from  front  to  back  of  book?  Why  say  eye  of 
needle,  when  they  mean  nose  of  needle? 
Why  speak  to  learned  person  without  taking 
eye-glasses  from  face?  Why  is  it  best  to 
serve  dessert  at  the  end  and  not  at  the  be 
ginning  of  a  feast? 

Dr.  Ewing  say  one  day  when  we  go  to  walk 
in  country,  "This  road  just  like  one  cork 
screw,"    and    ask   of  me    the   reason    why? 
"Very    good    reason,"    I    reply.     " Chinese  j 
people  know  very  well  how  to  protect  selves  I 
from    Gui    (devils).    Gui    always    travel    in 


straight  line,  roads  wind  around,  so  Gui  no 
can  catch  traveler."  Dr.  Ewing  look  at  me 
long  time  then  say,  "Can  it  be  that  after  so 
long  time  in  our  great  College  you  still  be 
lieve  such  things  as  these?" 

To  this  I  only  make  reply — "Perhaps 
when  your  country  become  same  age  as  China, 
you  will  learn  how  true  these  things  are  that 
I  tell  you."  Then  I  take  opportunity  to 
tell  Dr.  Ewing  why  her  friend's  little  child  so 
very  ill.  Over  the  house  in  which  this  little 
child  now  sick  to  death  grow  vines,  long  vines 
that  cover  windows  nearly  up,  and  that  hang 
down  over  roof,  and  doors,  all  truly  most 
dangerous  vines.  Americans  not  know  that 
Guis  can  enter  house  most  easily  where  vines 
hang  down  over  roofs  and  doors  and  windows; 
another  most  dangerous  thing  about  this 
house  is  it  have  eaves  about  top  side  all 
turning  down  also.  Now  Chinese  people  can 
keep  wicked  devils  out  of  all  houses,  all 
temples,  because  they  know  to  build  eaves 
to  turn  up,  to  throw  devils  into  air,  so  no 
can  come  into  house.  I  say  surely  bajby  in 
that  foreign  house  must  to  die,  and  I  feel 
very  sorry,  but  can  to  do  nothing  because 
foreigner  no  listen  to  what  poor  ignorant 
Chinese  girl  say. 

I  I  well  know  how  with  whole  heart  Dr. 
Ewing  love  this  little  child,  so  one  night  I 
'creep  out  so  still,  and  carry  long  garden 
Lshears,  and  climb  on  step-ladder  of  window 


where  baby  so  very  sick,  and  cut  away  every 
little  vine  where  hang  down  over  window. 
That  time  very  cold,  very  dark  night  make 
me  very  afraid,  because  angry  Gui  may 
come  catch  me  protecting  child,  but  I  so 
much  love  little  child,  will  try  what  can  do. 
Next  day  Dr.  Ewing  say — "Dear  little  baby 
much  better,  now  will  to  live. "  I  know  and 
no  other  know  why  baby  live,  but  I  keep 
secret  down  deep  in  heart,  and  feel  greatest 
happiness. 


FOLKLORIST 


past  have  great 
Chinese  New  Year  Feast 
been  celebrated.  Third  day  the  greatest 
day  of  all.  Every  where  in  land  much  feast 
ing,  much  of  fire-work,  much  of  congratulat 
ing.  (Gung-hi). 

Out  side  Compound  wall,  can  hear  soldiers 
marching  in  day,  can  see  processions  march 
ing  by  night  carrying  lanterns  and  torches, 
with  much  music  and  fire-works. 

Every  body  greet  each  other  and  say, 
"Seng  Meng.  Ring  Ang. "  All  girls  in  Col 
lege  most  happy,  because  Honorable  Teach 
ers  say,  "For  one  week  we  now  turn  over 
College  to  students;  we  nothing  say,  nothing 
do.  Students  must  plan  all  things,  arrange 
all  things,  what  most  like  to  do;"  every  one 
quite  joyous.  Second  and  third  day  have 
great  secret,  we  most  wonderful,  beautiful 
surprise  give  Honorable  Teachers. 

With  large,  red  paper  carefully  written  in 
black  characters  and  folded  into  red  en 
velope,  we  invite  all  to  Chinese 
girls'  reception  hall  at  eight  o'clock 
of  third  day. 

Teachers  much  have  wonder 
ment.  Girls  all  too  great  excite 
ment.  From  village  call  No.  I 
Good  Feast  Maker;  he  plan  all 
things  according  to  high  official1 
style.  He  say,  "This  feast  must 


contain  all  very  best;  twenty-eight  courses 
not  enough,  must  have  forty-two  courses, 
with  many  special  servants  and  on  each 
table  one  Charing  dish." 

All  day  keep  doors  locked  many  girls  work 
to  trim  hall  make  all  look  like  one-piece 
garden,  every  one  so  happy,  faces  shine  like 
flower  faces,  Coolies  very  interest,  come 
bring  much  Bamboo,  Poinsettia,  make  one 
large  arch  over  fire-place  like  arch  way  in 
street,  then  fill  up  over  top  and  side  with 
Bamboo,  Cryptomeria  bough,  and  build  an 
other  archway  or  arbor  to  top  of  room,  where 
build  high  seats  for  Honorable  Teachers 
where  sit  at  feast. 

Many  friends  of  girls  send  much  beautiful 
lanterns,  some  look  like  fish,  some  look  like 
bird,  some  like  fire-balloon — all  most  large 
and  bright. 

Coolies  hang  lanterns  from  top  of  green 
arbors,  then  Coolies  bring  much  big  log  and 
fill  stone  fire-place,  ready  for  great  fire  at 
night  to  make  room  bright.  Have  wood  fire 
and  lanterns,  no  other  light. 

To  make  feast  ready,  twenty  Coolies  and 
girls  work  two  days  and  nights,  then  great 
night  come,  and  eight  o'clock  strike.  Inside 
hall  all  prepare,  all  like  one  golden  dream, 
great  fire  blaze  up  Chimney.  Lanterns  spread 
glow  like  red  of  sun  set,  all  through  green  ar 
bors,  and  through  great  room.  A  bell  sounds. 
Ah,  the  Honorable  Teachers  have  come! 


Girls  all  stand  in  row  beside  the  door  and 
make  low  bowings  as  Teachers  pass.  Bing 
Ding  invite  to  seats,  and  when  all  in  place, 
girls  also  take  seats  and  feast  begin. 

After  Miss  Powers  say  little  word  of  bless- , 
ing  servants  bring  in  covered  dishes,  and  I 
place  on  tables. 

In  middle  of  feast  all  suddenly  begin  great 
noise  outside  of  hall,  fire-crackers  and  rockets 
and  Tom-Toms  then  all  so  still  we  very  much 
surprised  and  know  not  who  come  to  con 
gratulate  us.  Then  most  wonderful,  most 
beautiful  Band  begin  to  play  under  window 
and  every  body  look  at  Da  Hua  because  well 
we  know  it  is  St.  Marks  College  Band  and 
we  know  who  is  at  the  head  of  that  Band, 
and  why  it  plays  for  our  feast.  Da  Hua 
dare  not  look  up  for  she  too  knows  it  is  for 
her  that  the  Head  Master  is  bringing  con 
gratulations  thus.  When  the  Band  stops 
playing  all  clap  hands  for  more,  Miss  Powers 
stand  up  and  say,  "Seng  Meng.  Bing  Ang, 
and  many  times  thank  you.  Ke  Dang." 
Again  beautiful  music  begin,  and  continue 
all  through  feast. 

When  feast  is  finished  we  hear  more  large 
fire-crackers  and  musicians  go  away.  Hon 
orable  Instructors  stand  and  Miss  Powers 
begin  to  make  polite  thank  yous  and  fare 
wells. 

Then  I  go  forward  because  I  have  the 
Folk  stories  to  introduce.  I  beg  Honorable 


Teachers  to  remain  a  little  while  that  we  may 
relate  to  them  some  Chinese  Folk-lore  of  our 
feasts  and  festivals,  of  which  we  have  so 
many. 

Quickly,  like  magic,  Coolies  carry  tables 
and  other  feast  furniture  away,  and  move 
seats  to  centre  of  room,  where  make  one-half 
circle  before  fire,  Honorable  Teachers  in 
centre,  and  girls  sitting  on  floor  all  about 
each  side. 

After  some  little  explanations  about  stories 
of  great  enchantment  to  all  Chinese  people, 
I  say  to  all,  "Since  this  feast  the  very  great 
est  of  the  whole  year,  we  make  selections  of 
two  other  feasts  for  stories,  and  Cui  Ai  will 
tell  the  first  story." 

Cui  Ai  at  once  came  to  centre  of  wide  half 
circle,  and  after  making  little  bow,  take  seat 
on  low  hassock,  Miss  Sterling  whisper  to 
Dr.  Ewing,  "She  look  like  fire-witch  with 
the  great  flames  framing  her  black  head,  and 
those  long  braids  sweeping  out  over  the  floor. " 

Cui  Ai  begin  with  voice  much  of  shakiness 
at  first,  after  awhile  grow  strong,  and  all  time 
so  clear  so  plain  Chinese  girls  whisper  to 
gether  that  it  wonderful  to  speak  the  diffi 
cult  foreign  language  so  clearly. 

Cui  Ai's   STORY. 
THE  MID-AUTUMN  FESTIVAL. 

Our  country  has  a  feast  every  year,  on  the 
[fifteenth  day  of  the  eighth  moon,  to  com- 


memorate  King  Dong  Ming  who  invented 
the  Musical  Instruments. 

This  is  the  story: 

When  King  Dong  Ming  was  crowned 
King  he  loved  a  Sorcerer  and  promised  him 
promotion  and  set  him  above  all  the  Princes 
that  were  in  the  land  with  him. 

One  day  the  Sorcerer  said  to  him — "I  can 
take  you  up  into  the  Moon,"  so  King  Dong 
Ming  set  many  masons  and  carpenters  to 
build  a  very  high  tower  for  looking  at  the 
Moon. 

The  tower  was  finished  on  the  fifteenth 
day  of  the  eighth  month,  just  on  the  night 
that  the  moon  was  full. 

That  night  King  Dong  Ming  prepared  a 
feast  in  the  tower  and  sent  for  the  Sorcerer 
to  come  and  banquet  with  him. 

When  they  had  feasted  they  saw  a  ladder 
set  up  on  the  tower,  the  top  of  which  reached 
the  Moon. 

King  Dong  Ming  ascended  to  the  Moon  on 
this  great  ladder.  When  they  reached  there 
they  saw  many  Moon  Daughters  all  dressed 
in  shining  black  robes,  and  crowned  with 
flowers. 

When  the  beautiful  Moon  Daughters  saw 
two  men  coming  in  they  all  stood  up  and 
bowed  very  low  before  them  and  treated 
them  with  great  kindness.  Every  girl  played 
for  them  her  Musical  Instrument,  such  as  the 
Psalteries,  the  Cymbals,  the  Harp,  the  Or- 


-gan,  and  the  Tymbal,  then  they  sang  songs 
in  one  grand  concert. 

King  Dong  Ming  knew  nothing  more,  until 
he  found  himself  in  a  bed  in  the  tower. 

The  King  was  very  much  surprised  to  find 
himself  in  bed,  and  without  having  come 
down  the  ladder  into  the  tower,  and  very 
much  surprised  that  the  Sorcerer  was  not  any 
longer  with  him.  The  King  remembered  all 
the  songs  which  the  girls  had  sung  to  him,  and 
also  all  the  shapes  of  all  the  Musical  Instru 
ments  which  they  had  played  upon  for  him. 

He  sent  for  a  skillful  man  and  told  him  to 
make  all  the  Instruments  according  to  all 
that  he  had  seen  in  the  Moon. 

Then  King  Dong  Ming  taught  the  people 
the  use  of  the  Instruments. 

Chinese  Musical  Instruments  date  from 
that  time. 

Then  the  people  began  to  imitate  King 
Dong  Ming  on  the  I5th  day  of  the  8th  Moon 
by  making  a  feast  with  their  friends  and  their 
relations  every  year.  They  expect  that  they 
can  see  the  beautiful  Moon  Palace,  and  hear 
the  music  from  out  this  Palace  if  they  only 
listen. 

Ai  Lang  then  took  the  story  teller's  place  j 
and  began  the  wonderful  story  of  the 
WINTER  FESTIVAL. 

Our  Country  has  a  Festival  three  days 
before  Christmas  to  commemorate  a  family 
meeting  again. 


The  story  is  as  follows: 

Once  there  was  a  man  who  wished  to  go  a 
long  journey,  so  he  went  down  to  a  harbor 
and  found  a  boat,  he  paid  the  boat  hire  for 
it,  and  then  he  went  down  into  the  boat,  just 
then  a  mighty  tempest  was  on  the  sea;  the 
boat  was  about  to  be  broken  and  the  men 
were  very  much  afraid;  and  the  sailor  think 
ing  to  do  something  against  the  wind  fell 
overboard  and  was  drowned. 

Then  the  lone  man  could  not  bear  up 
against  the  wind  so  he  let  the  boat  drive. 
The  day  went  by,  on,  on  the  boat  sailed,  but 
no  land  appeared  in  sight. 

The  lone  man  grew  sadder  and  sadder,  he 
neither  ate  or  slept,  but  spent  his  time  pray 
ing  to  his  Gods. 

One  morning  he  saw  many  birds  fluttering 
around  his  masts,  so  that  he  knew  the  land 
was  near. 

Two  hours  after  this  the  boat  floated  near 
to  a  great  Mountain.  On  this  Mountain 
many  beasts  had  their  homes.  When  the 
man  realized  this  he  was  very  much  afraid, 
and  he  said  to  himself,  "If  I  stay  in  this 
spot,  in  this  boat  I  will  starve  soon;  and  if  I 
go  out  and  up  the  Mountain  I  will  be  killed 
by  the  wild  beasts." 

In  the  very  midst  of  the  young  man's 
trouble  and  wonder  who  should  come  down 
the  Mountain  but  a  female  Monkey.  This 
Monkey  was  the  Queen  of  the  place;  she  led 


him  to  her  cave  and  prepared  a  dinner  for! 
him,  and  sat  with  him  at  meat. 

After  a  few  days  the  female  Monkey  made  I 
a  stately  bow  before  him  and  asked  him  to 
become  her  husband. 

Then  the  man  said  to  himself,  "If  I  do  not 
consent  to  her  she  will  kill  me,  so  I  shall  have 
to  marry  her  to  save  my  life,  and  perhaps 
after  a  time  I  shall  have  a  good  chance  to 
go  back  to  my  home  again/' 

So  he  promised  to  marry  her. 

On  their  wedding  day  there  were  many 
little  Monkeys  who  came  to  congratulate  her. 

After  a  year  the  Monkey  bore  a  baby  to 
him. 

When  the  boy  was  old  enough  his  Mother 
took  him  out  to  hunt  for  game,  which  they 
carried  home  for  dinner. 

The  man  taught  her  to  cook,  so  that  they 
could  roast  the  game  quite  nicely. 

One  day  the  man  got  very  homesick  so  he 
went  out,  wishing  to  escape  from  his  wife. 
Just  that  time  the  Monkey  and  her  son  were 
returning  from  their  hunt.  When  they  saw 
him  come  up  they  were  very  angry  and  led 
him  home. 

Next  time  she  went  out  to  hunt  she  left 
the  boy  at  home  to  watch  his  Father. 

After  another  year  the  Monkey  bore  him 
another  son.  When  this  second  son  was  old 
enough  his  Mother  made  him  a  bow  and 
arrow,  and  taught  him  to  shoot  the  animals;! 


CLITT  NEAR 

THE  MONKEY 

MOTHER'S 

HOME 


from  that  day  forth  she  always  took  her 
I  second  son  with  her  when  she  went  out  to 
shoot,  leaving  the  oldest  son  at  home  to 
jkeep  guard  over  the  Father.  The  man  al- 
Iways  told  this  big  boy  about  his  home,  and 
the  big  boy  talked  to  his  little  brother  about 
it,  so  that  after  a  while  the  second  boy  be 
gan  to  refuse  to  go  hunting  with  his  Mother. 

One  day  the  man  said  to  his  sons,  "If  I 
go  home  I  can  only  let  one  of  you  go  with 
me,"  but  they  said  "Surely  we  will  both  go 
with  you,"  and  the  man  saw  that  they  would 
both  go  with  him  and  he  was  much  per 
plexed  as  to  how  he  could  bring  it  to  pass. 

One  day  soon  after  they  saw  a  boat  com 
ing  toward  the  Mountain,  so  they  went  down 
I  into  it,  the  boat  sailed  away  very  quickly. 
When  the  Monkey  came  home  and  found 
that  her  husband  and  children  were  not  there 
she  began  to  search  for  them.  Then  she  saw 
a  great  boat  opposite  her  in  which  three  men 
iwere  sitting,  she  began  to  call  to  them  and 
to  cry,  but  the  three  waved  their  hands  to 
her  from  the  boat  and  gave  her  a  silent  fare 
well. 

After  a  few  days  the  boat  reached  the  City 
in  which  the  man  was  born. 

When  the  man  came  to  his  home  and  his 
wife  saw  him  and  the  two  boys,  she  was  very 
angry,  because  she  thought  that  he  had  mar 
ried  another  wife. 

The  man  told  her  all  about  all  his  troubles 


and  said,   "If  you  will  look   at   them   very  I 
carefully  then  you  will  know  that  they  are  I 
come  from  a  breed  of  animals. "     When  she 
so  looked  at  the  two  boys  she  knew  that  this 
was  true,  and  then  she  made  a  feast  for  him, 
and  called  in  her  friends  and  neighbors  to 
come  and  rejoice  with  them. 

The  two  boys'  Step-Mother  treated  them 
very  badly  and  always  scolded  them,  saying, 
"Of  what  good  are  you,  sons  of  an  animal?" 
But  after  a  few  years  the  two  boys  became 
very  famous  Officers;  and  often  talked  about 
what  their  Step-Mother  had  called  them,  and 
after  a  while  they  went  by  boat  to  search  for 
their  own  Mother. 

At  last  when  they  reached  the  Mountain 
they  saw  a  Monkey  coming  toward  them  with 
full  eyes;  then  they  knew  it  was  their  Mother 
and  they  wished  to  carry  her  home  with 
them,  but  she  had  grown  very  savage,  so 
that  they  could  not  lead  her  home.  Then 
they  remembered  that  their  Father  had  told 
them  that  their  Mother  liked  things  made  of 
rice,  so  they  made  a  kind  of  dough  of  rice 
and  stuck  it  upon  the  trees  or  grass,  when  the 
Monkey  saw  this  she  was  very  happy  and 
began  to  eat  the  rice  from  the  trees  and  grass. 

The  two  Brothers  stuck  the  rice  upon  every 
thing  as  they  went  upon  their  homeward  way, 
and  the  Monkey  came  nearer  and  nearer  to 
get  the  rice  balls,  at  length  she  came  very 
near  to  the  boys'  home,  and  they  stuck  the] 


rice  balls  inside  the  court,  when  the  Monkey 
came  in  there  to  get  the  rice,  the  boys  bolted 
the  door,  and  locked  her  in  a  room,  and 
gave  her  well  cooked  things  to  eat  and  treated 
her  well. 

The  hair  on  her  body  began  to  drop  off, 
and  she  became  very  tame;  and  the  two 
boys  were  very  happy  to  get  their  own  Mother 
again. 

The  Monkey  was  tempted  home  by  her 
two  sons  in  the  winter  time  two  days  before 
Christmas,  so  from  that  time  the  people 
always  make  a  feast  with  their  families  and 
roll  rice  balls  on  that  day  each  year. 

When  people  are  rolling  the  rice  balls  they 
want  the  whole  family  present,  because  they 
think  that  if  the  whole  family  is  together  to 
make  the  rice  balls,  the  whole  family  will 
have  peace  and  prosperity  throughout  the 
coming  year. 


[71] 


GENIUS 


_ENIUSES  are  birthed  not  made. 
Of  that,  the  truth,  I  have 
confidence  of  the  uttermost.  Two  posessions 
must  be  theirs — Longevity  of  Hair  and  Bil- 
liousness  of  Character.  Likewise  it  is  more 
better  than  a  Father  or  Mother  Genius  has 
made  proceedings.  Most  best  that  a  Grand 
father  Genius  walks  in  front.  Then,  is  all 
of  most  wellness  and  the  Genius  is  of  excel 
lency  birthed. 

No  Honorable  Ancestors  of  Geniuses  have 
walked  before  me.  No  Longevity  of  Hair 
have  I  (since  the  all  powerful  fever  raged  in 
our  Province) .  No  Character  of  Billiousness, 
the  Character  of  me  being  of  unimportant- 
ness.  How  then  can  I,  not  having  been 
birthed  with  properness  become  into  one 
Genius  on  the  instant?  It  is  of  uttermost 
impossibility,  albeit  the  American  friend  of 
Miss  Sterling  say  she  teach  to  me  many  fine 
words  of  American  Slang  most  profitable  in 
works  of  Genius.  Only  can  the  Goddess  of 
Mercy  and  perhaps  the  Foreign 
God  a  little,  lend  of  aid  to  me  in 
my  extremities.  To  them  I  de 
sign  the  Poem  below,  of  which 
you  shall  have  readings.  To  com 
position,  Poem  take  with  much 
exactitude,  six  of  hours  and  forty- 
five  of  moments.  At  endings  of 
time,  eyes  ached  and  stomache 


have  yearnings  but  Poem  come  out.  I  have 
extensive  happiness  for  I  now  have  knowings 
that,  if  of  eats  I  partake  of  littleness,  and 
make  annointments  of  hair  that  it  may  to 
grow,  I  shall  yet  arrive  at  the  business  of| 
Genius. 

Give  unto  me  of  the  sacred  power, 
O,  Goddess  of  Mercy,  now,  this  hour, 
That  into  a  GENIUS  I  may  flower, 
Like  silver  dewdrops  in  summer  shower. 

Yesterday  Miss  Powers  say  in  class — 
"Some  are  born  great,  some  achieve  great 
ness  and  some  have  greatness  thrust  upon 
them."  Thus  has  the  business  of  Genius 
been  thrust  upon  me  and  I  must  get  busy. 
For  three  days  now,  in  searchings  of  library 
of  Honored  President,  I  come  upon  Eng  Muoi 
also  making  searchings.  She  hide  book,  I 
hide  book.  Today  I  make  findings  of  space 
of  emptiness  on  book-shelf  where  yesterday 
stood  Honorable  Pope.  Eng  Muoi  has  taken 
him  unto  herself.  Next  where  Honorable, 
Pope  once  was  and  now  is  not,  I  found  book 
of  Honorable  Lord  Kames,  most  evident 
a  Genius  with  knowledge  of  Geniuses  in 
comparable.  He  says,  "A  Constitution  of  I 
Warmth  and  Inflamableness  must  a  Genius 
posess.  Likewise  a  Delicacy  of  Taste  and 
Sedateness. "  Three  of  these  Constitutions 
have  I — Warmth  (of  coldness  I  know  not) 
Inflamableness  (anger  comes  quickly  unto  my 
heart)  Delicacy  of  Taste  (is  it  not  I  who  of  | 
foods  make  selectings  for  our  feasts?)  But! 


76] 


Sedateness,    I    have    it    not.     Perhaps    if   II 
hump  me  and  make  trackings  I  can  to  catch  it.  I 

We  are  making  a  journey,  Miss  Sterling,! 
Ai  Lang,  Ring  Ding  and  I  to  the  Monastery 
of  Dreams   on    the   tall   mountain    Koshan. 
From  the  Compound  we  came  in  early  morn 
ing  time  by  boat  and  now  in  sedan  chairs  we 
ascend  into  the  clouds.     At  each  placement 
of  rest    we    stop.     While    coolies    catch    at 
breath  and  smoke  at  pipe,  we  drink  of  tea 
and  watch  at  view.     It  is  most   wondrous. 
Trees  of  a  growth  extraordinary.     Rocks  of 
mightiness  each  bearing  an  inscription  from 
the  Classics.     Down  side  of  mountain,  tum 
bling  into  waterfalls  over  boulders  of  bigness  I 
flows  a  stream  of  the  clearness  of  glass.     Be-  ( 
low,  the  "Happy  Valley"  stretches  myriads i 
of  miles  away,  of  green  in  shadow  and  gold 
in  sunshine,  all  of  uttermost  beauty. 

There  are  steps  of  stone  that  one  may  ar 
rive  at  Tea-houses  higher  up  mountain  side. 
I  beg  of  Miss  Sterling  that  I  may  to  leave! 
chair  and  mount  up  steps.  All  girls  come 
and  we  climb,  making  readings  of  rocks  as 
we  go.  I  find  great  comfort  in  my  reading — 
"With  what  little  wisdom  is  the  world  gov 
erned."  For  the  business  of  Genius  makes 
me  tired  and  tonight  I  must  become  fresh, 
like  unto  a  daisy,  for  out  of  me  must  I  cough 
up  a  Poem. 

We  are  nearing  the  Monastery.     High  ini 


air  above  our  heads,  the  bell  from  the  Tem 
ple  tolls.  As  we  climb  Miss  Sterling  tells 
of  the  wicked  man  who  tolls  it.  For  twenty- 
five  years  he  has  made  penance  for  his  wicked 
sins.  He  was  doomed  to  toll  the  bell  and 
never  speak;  now  he  cannot  to  speak  one 
word,  but  tolls  on.  That's  not  dead  easy. 
I  have  of  sorrow  for  that  man.  Tonight  I 
will  to  compose  a  Poem  to  him. 

We  enter  the  open  court  of  the  Monastery. 
All  is  of  great  stillness  and  peace.  Only 
tinkling  of  fountain  in  centre  of  court  makes 
soundings.  Beyond  fountain  is  lake  full  of 
brilliant  colourings.  By  lake  we  make 
pauses  and  see  that  colourings  are  red,  blue, 
green  and  gold  fishes — most  beautiful!  At 
end  of  lake  an  old  man  sits  by  stand;  on 
stand  are  cakes  all  strung  on  string  like 
Chinese  cash.  We  buy  of  the  cakes,  Bing 
Ding  cut  strings,  and  we  enjoy  much  plea- 
surings  in  fishes  feeding  forgetful  of  hours. 
But  Miss  Sterling  say,  "The  time  is  passing. 
If  you  wish  your  fortunes  told  we  must  go." 

We  mount  up  stone  steps  and  enter  Tem 
ple  of  the  Prophets.  Bing  Ding,  alone, 
makes  way  to  Priest  at  altar  and  tells  to  him 
of  her  desire.  From  his  Divining  Sticks  he 
makes  selection  of  one  and  lays  it  upon  the 
altar,  then  opens  the  Taheo  (Book  of  Great 
Learning)  and  reads: 

The  accomplishment  of  thy  plans  rests  with 
Heaven.  The  Spirits  of  the  Earth,  Sea  and 


"ALL  is  OF  GREAT  STILLNESS  AND  PEACE" 


—^im  

\Air  are  propitious,  'Thou  sbalt  ride  Jar  upon  I 
\the  Sea  into  Foreign  Countries  and  return  in  I 
\safety.  T^he  Earth  Spirit  gives  thee  great  I 
I  power  in  things  political  through  thy  marriage  I 
\tO  a  high  official  of  thy  Country.  Seven 

worthy  sons  shall  be  born  unto  thee  and  thy  I 
\days  shall  be  full  and  many. 

Bing    Ding   was    of   manifest   satisfaction 

when  she  join  us  sitting  on  seat  at  back  of 
I  temple. 

We  hike  on  up  other  stone  steps  to  the 
[Temple    of    the    Moon.     I    enter    with    Ai  j 
[Lang,  Miss  Sterling  and  Bing  Ding  making  , 
[readings  of  Classics  outside  on  rocks. 

Unto  the  Priest  of  Temple  Ai  Lang  tell  of  j 
I  her  birth-moon,  also  hour  and  place  of  j 
I  birthment. 

He  answer  thus:  The  right  way  leads  for- 
I  ward;  the  wrong  way  backward.  Unto  your 
\choice  bring  wisdom.  Within  jour  angles  of 
I  prominence  lies  your  life.  Leo  rising^  Cancer 
\culminating.  To  your  bouse  Mars  brings 
I  trouble  but  Venus  overrules.  You  will  bear  a 
I  man  child  of  exceeding  greatness.  Art  is  your 
\talent;  your  hands  your  best  posessions.  See 
I/o  *'/  that  you  use  them  wisely. 

Ai  Lang  give  promise  of  wisdom  and  we 
I  make  getaway  unto  Miss  Sterling  and  Bing 
•  Ding. 

Up  yet  another  stone  steps  we  mount  to 
I  the  highest  Temple  of  all,  set  like  a  star  in 
I  clouds  at  top  of  mountain — the  Temple  of 


Dreams.  Inside  of  Temple  most  wonderful 
but  at  entrance  of  uttermost  darkness.  One 
step — two  step  I  take  alone  (only  one  person 
can  make  entrance  at  one  time)  then  comes 
light,  soft  like  flush  of  dawn.  Grows  bright 
er,  most  bright,  until  over  all  things  the 
Spirit  of  Fire  spreads  its  mantle  of  red.  I 
walk  on,  each  step  in  changing  light;  Orange, 
Yellow,  Blue,  Green  and  Violet.  At  last 
I  make  stand  at  foot  of  rainbow  before  the 
High  Priest  of  the  Temple.  Strange,  most 
strange!  Last  night  I  dream  of  rainbow.  I 
speak  unto  the  Priest  my  dream.  He  make 
interpretation  as  follows:  'The  rainbow  you 
beheld  in  sleep  is  an  omen  of  good  promise. 
Likewise  the  street  in  which  you  walked  in  fear 
and  darkness  for  Success  crowns  him  who 
works  to  win.  ¥he  violets  you  gathered  at  end 
of  street  were  Happiness^  Fame  and  Riches. 
All  these  shall  be  yours  if  you  break  not  the 
string  of  Pearls  that  are  entwined  about  your 
neck.  Should  one  Pearl  loosen  and  fall  into 
space ,  Sorrow  and  Sadness  shall  be  your  por 
tion.  Beware  of  Accidents  unto  the  Pearls. 

Much  troubled,  with  hand  to  Pearls  lest 
Misfortune  come  up  with  me — for  clasp  of 
necklace  is  of  weakness — I  make  return 
through  rainbow  into  world  outside. 

"The  shadows  are  growing,"  Miss  Sterling 
say.  "Come,  we  must  get  down  the  moun 
tain  to  the  boats  at  once!" 

Tonight  after  we  reach  Compound,  I  cut 


[80] 


H^B  — ^— — — 

[out  dinner  and  make  annointment  of  hair, 
also  stir  my  stumps  to  compose  Poem. 
Time — five  of  hours — ten  of  moments.  I 
have  much  hunger. 

He  sits  in  the  belfry  tower, 
Tolling  the  soft  bell  of  Dreams. 
Four  times  he  rings  it  each  hour, 
Heaven  with  sound  of  it  teems. 
Moons  long  past  the  Spirits  said: 
"For  untold  Sins  you  must  pay, 
Morning's  gold  but  Evening's  red, 
Your  crimes  must  be  paid  each  day." 
Worn  and  dark  is  He  and  old. 
On  his  soul  his  Sins  have  weighed. 
Twenty-five  years  He  has  tolled, 
Surely  the  price  He  has  paid. 

This  morning  at  Ten  of  the  clock  we  march 
by  two's  and  two's  into  Chapel,  Honored 
President  and  Teachers  leading.  Cui  Ai 
adorned  in  light  blue  silk  following.  To 
morrow  she  marries.  Today,  Miss  Powers 
trim  Chapel  and  make  for  Cui  Ai  alone, 
Graduating  Exercises  most  scrumptious. 

First  come  little  welcome  speech  of  our 
Honored  President  then  Cui  Ai  arise  and 
speak  Essay  on  Faith  in  our  beloved  Neu- 
chang  dialect.  Sit  down,  and  Chinese  girls 
sing  in  chorus  "Wings  of  Faith."  Again 
|  Cui  Ai  arise  and  speak  Essay  on  Hope  in 
Classical  Chinese.  Sit  down,  and  our  Ador 
able  Miss  Sterling  sing  solo,  "Keep  on 
Hoping. "  Yet  again  Cui  Ai  arise  and  speak 
Essay  on  Charity,  this  time  in  English.  Yet 
again  sit  down,  and  Chinese  girls  sing  chorus 
of  "Charity." 


81] 


Miss  Powers  make  speechings  of  presenta 
tions  and  unto  Cui  Ai  give  Diploma  of  Ex 
cellency.  All  is  finished. 

Cui  Ai's  Eager  Betrothed,  also  Beauteous 
Mother  and  Sisters  and  Brothers  also  much 
beauteous  Flowers  make  arrival  upon  plat 
form  at  same  time.  All  is  most  merry  and 
of  good  fortune,  and  our  sorrow  that  Cui  Ai 
is  not  to  wait  for  the  graduation  of  the  class, 
is  now  turned  to  joyfulness. 

Later,  we  go  with  Cui  Ai  to  gaze  upon  her 
jewels  and  fine  clothings.  Her  No.  i  Chest 
of  red  lacquer  holds  many  garments  of  fine 
silk  of  soft  warmth  and  richness.  In  the 
tray,  numberless  bracelets,  hair-pins,  brooches 
and  other  ornaments  have  place. 

No.  2  Chest,  also  of  red  lacquer,  contain 
clothing  more  ordinary  and  household  linens 
most  plenteous. 

All  the  time  Cui  Ai  showing  Chests,  not 
down  in  the  mouth  but  having  smilings. 

By  and  by  I  say,  "Why  do  you  look  happy, 
CuiAi?  Why  do  you  not  make  cryings?  It 
is  our  custom." 

Cui  Ai  make  response:  "Because  of  our 
dear  Miss  Sterling.  She  say  it  is  of  utter 
most  foolishness  to  make  marriage  and  cry- 
ings  at  same  time.  It  is  not  the  American 
way  to  so  do.  American  lady  make  first 
marriage,  no  cryings,  sometimes  later  make 
cryings,  but  not  always.  Also  I  have  great 
and  copious  joys  for  in  my  house  of  littleness 


82 


I  am  to  live  unto  myself  and  husband  alone, 
not  with  Able  Mother-in-law." 

We  wonder  at  the  manifold  good  fortune 
of  Cui  Ai.  It  is  not  to  believe  that  she  live 
not  in  house  of  Able  Mother-in-law.  I  have 
much  doubtings. 

I  return  unto  my  room  and  will  to  compose 
Poem  on — "What  is  House  without  Mother- 
in-law?"  but  Poem  no  come  out.  I  am 
floored  with  completeness.  Six  bells  ring 
but  I  go  not.  Again  I  make  annointment  of 
hair  and  cut  out  dinner.  I  find  book  of  rhyme- 
words  and  choose  this  list — "Air-fare,  Where- 
wear,  Prayer-ensnare. "  At  the  once  I  become 
up  to  snuff  and  Poem  come  unto  me  of  so  great 
quickness  I  have  double  joyings:  Firstly, 
that  Poem  is  of  everlastingness  of  length; 
lastly,  that  with  my  rhyme-book,  I  can  now 
become  on  to  the  job  of  Genius.  Poem  take 
of  time,  three  of  hours;  of  moments,  four.  I 
give  of  name  unto  Poem: 

"THE  THREE  GRACES." 

Long  New  Moons  ago,  Three  Graces  most  fair, 
Dwelt  under  one  roof.    And  combing  long  hair, 
Made  wishes  to  ride  in  Red  Wedding  Chair, 
Enwrapted  in  Red  Veil;  and  Wedding  Dress  wear. 

Most  ancient  was  Faith,  with  belief  that  by  prayer 
A  Husband  would  come,  appearing  in  air. 
Sun-time  and  Moon-time  she'd  pray,  then  declare: 
"He'll  be  here  tonight;  our  roof-tree  to  share." 

Miss  Hope  was  a  Grace  without  any  care, 
Hoping  a  Husband  to  her  would  repair; 
Her  thinks  troubled  not.     She  hoped  he'd  be  there, 
But  how  he  would  come  was  not  her  affair. 


Charity  said:     "Each  our  part  we  must  bear, 
If  we  are  to  Marry.     Men  quickly  scare. 
We  must  decide  on  the  Time,  Who  and  Where. 
Get  up  and  get  busy;  Each,  Do  and  Dare." 

Each  Grace  went  her  way  a  riding  her  mare. 

Hope  rode  on  Hopings.     Miss  Faith  rode  her  Prayer. 

Still  they  ride  on  and  at  Chanty  glare; 

Her  Wedding  took  place  'mid  trumpetings  blare. 

The  Moral  is  plain  and  not  at  all  rare. 
Just  praying  and  hoping  failed  for  that  pair. 
Be  Up  and  Be  Doing.     Yourself  never  spare, 
If  ever  a  Husband  you  wish  to  ensnare. 

With  the  shining  of  the  Sun  while  yet  the 
Moon  has  not  gone  to  sleep,  we  six  Chinese 
girls  of  the  graduating  class  to  which  Cui  Ai 
once  belonged  and  now  belongs  not,  come 
unto  her  room  to  adorn  her  for  her  marriage. 

We  have  friendly  quarrellings  over  the  red 
slippers  of  so  great  smallness,  which  she  has 
made  herself — as  to  who  shall  place  them  on 
her  tiny  feet — also  we  snatch  at  hair-pins  and 
bracelets,  to  be  No.  i  aid  at  dressings. 

Cui  Ai  pays  scanty  heed  to  the  admonitions 
which  her  paid  attendant  is  all  time  speech- 
ing  unto  her,  but  is  full  of  cheerfulness  at 
which  we  have  much  marvelings.  At  last,  atten 
dant  place  red  wedding-veil  on  head  and  we 
fasten  many  brooches  upon  red  wedding-gown. 
Over  the  bride's  small  hands  Bing  Ding  slips 
jade  bracelets  and  all  is  in  placement. 

The  Mistress  of  Ceremonies  (Miss  Powers) 
enters  and  taking  Cui  Ai  by  hand,  leads  her 
into  garden;  we  follow  at  distance  of  most 
respectfulness.  Down  the  path  they  walk, 


84 


past  the  wonderful  red  chair  all  of  one  blos 
som,  even  the  poles  covered  with  vines  and 
flowers,  and  up  the  Chapel  steps. 

Inside  Chapel,  Miss  Powers  lead  Cui  Ai 
to  altar  where  wait  Groom  and  Minister, 
while  Miss  Sterling  all  time  play  Wedding 
March  of  Honorable  Mendelssohn. 

Outside  Chapel,  Chinese  band  play  and 
friends  fire  crackers  with  so  great  noisesome- 
ness  that  we  can  but  hear  Minister's  word 
like  whisperings.  Whisperings  cease,  and 
Bride  and  Groom  make  proceedings  down 
aisle  side  by  side;  Miss  Powers  at  back,  while 
Miss  Sterling  play  Wedding  March  from 
Honorable  Lohengrin. 

Chinese  crackers  increase  in  noisesome- 
ness.  Groom  puts  Bride  in  her  chair  of 
beauty  and  takes  his  own  chair  of  plainness 
behind  her. 

The  Wedding  Procession  proceeds.  At 
head  comes  Bride  with  her  red  lacquer 
Chests,  Boxes,  Bath-tubs  and  Household 
utensils,  each  borne  on  poles  by  Coolies. 
Following  these  are  hanging  shelves,  one 
upon  the  other,  all  suspended  by  poles  car 
ried  by  four  bearers,  each  shelf  containing 
some  sweet  or  cakes.  The  lantern  bearers 
with  lanterns  of  uttermost  gorgeousness 
come  next,  then  follow  the  Groom's  chair 
and  his  men  friends.  Also  many  pyramids 
of  beauteous  flowers.  Of  a  truth  Cui  Ai's 
Procession  of  Marriage  is  most  magnificent. 


To  the  house  of  newness  and  littleness  all 
in  the  Procession  march  on,  but  we  go  not 
until  the  evening  of  the  sixth  day. 

When  Procession  make  arrival  at  house  of 
Groom,  men  friends  enter  in  and  servants  at 
the  once  begin  to  pass  foods.  Upon  each 
tray  must  friends  place  coins  wrapped  in  red 
paper,  for  this  is  a  custom  that  all  men  must 
observe. 

All  evening  must  Bride  and  Groom  enter 
tain  guests;  this  time  Cui  Ai  make  intro 
duction  of  so  great  foreign  entertainments 
men  cannot  to  make  fun  of  poor,  little  Bride 
as  before. 

After  I  look  see  Marriage  Procession  I  re 
turn  unto  my  room  and  try  to  compose  Poem 
of  Wedding,  but  no  Poem  come  out.  One 
hour — Two  hour — Three  hour — then  I  crawl 
into  my  Mieng,  a  blooming  idiot,  for  unto 
me  has  Poem  given  the  go-by. 

Three  days  later  Cui  Ai  make  return  unto 
College.  With  her  comes  her  husband  of 
newness;  to  them  our  Honored  President  give 
of  feast.  All  graduating  Class  present.  Cui  Ai 
possess  looks  of  happiness;  husband  possess 
looks  of  uncomfortableness.  American  friend 
of  Miss  Sterling  say,  "Gloomy  Gus!"  Miss 
Sterling  laugh  and  say,  "Oh,  no,  just  too 
many  ladies  present. "  I  think  I  care  not 
for  Gloomy  Gus  husband;  too  much  troubles. : 

At  feast  I  partake  little  of  eats.     At  the  i 
once  I  get  a  move  on  and  safe  within  my 


room  make  yet  again  arm  ointments  of  hair 
that  I  may  to  compose  Poem.  Time,  two 
of  hours.  One  of  moments. 

As  a  Genius  I  am  but  a  jest, 

As  a  Poet,  not  one  of  the  best, 

For  from  North,  South,  the  East  and  the  West, 

All  agree  that  they  wish  I  would  rest. 

Tonight  have  I  become  a  Genius-Poet  for 
finality,  for  tomorrow  we  graduate.  There 
fore  will  all  Friendly  Ones  in  reading  of  these 
pages  have  rememberings  of  that  of  which  I 
before  make  statement — "That  the  business 
of  Genius  has  been  thrust  upon  me,  who  have 
no  Ancestors  of  Geniuses — no  Longevity  of 
Hair — no  Billiousness  of  Character" — and 
excusings  give  unto  me,  a  made — alas — not 
birtbed  GENIUS. 


HERE  CONCLUDE  THE  END  WITH  MUCH  GAINING 
OF  ENGLISH.  THAT  CLASS  BOOK  BE  BIRTHED 
INTO  COMPLETE  COMPLETENESS  WE  GIVE  OF 
THANKS,  THROUGH  Al  LANG  OUR  UNWORTHY 
ARTIST  AND  BlNG  DlNG  OUR  ALSO  UNWORTHY 
BIOGRAPHER,  UNTO  PAUL,  THE  ELDER  AND 
HIS  COMPANY  OF  HONORABLES.  SECOND 
THANKINGS  UNTO  HERMAN  A.  FuNKE  WHO, 
DURING  THE  SEVENTH  MOON  (AUGUST)  OF 
THE  YEAR  IN  AMERICA,  1916,  CONDUCT  BOOK 

THROUGH  PRESS — ToMOYE WHICH  IS  SITUATE 

IN  CITY  OF  SAN  FRANCISCO 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFOENIA  LIBKAEY 
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U  27  1918 
H  1922 


RPR  6  1922 


MAR  1  2  1975  «4 


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